CONTACT: Sharon Stensaas, (315) 432-3637  
Carrier Corporation  
North American Operations  
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
ALBANY, N.Y., Aug. 1 Carrier Corporation today announced the donation of air conditioning equipment to help preserve and maintain 23 large murals at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albanys Hawley Building. Built in 1909, the building housing the Thomas E. Dewey Graduate Library for Public Affairs and Policy is currently without air conditioning.
The lack of climate control in the Dewey Library has, over the years, impaired the universitys ability to properly preserve the decorative oil-on-canvas murals which depict scenes from the history of New York State and college life.
Carrier is recognized around the world for its commitment to the preservation of historic buildings, works or art and science. In 1993, Carrier dedicated a specially designed climate control system for the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican City to help preserve the frescos of Michelangelo. Recently the company designed, built and donated a unique refrigerated display case to preserve the only pre-Columbian, female mummy ever found. The mummy, dating back to 15th century Inca civilization, was on display at the National Geographic Societys headquarters in Washington, D.C., and has since been returned to her native Peru.
We are fortunate to have the expertise of the recognized industry leader practically in our backyard, said Karen R. Hitchcock, president of the University at Albany. Carriers generous donation to the Dewey Library will enable us to preserve these historic works of art for years to come.
The murals were added to the interior of the Hawley Building between 1937 and 1938 under a grant from the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) of the federal government. The 23 canvas panels cover 4,500 sq. ft. They were conceived of, designed and installed by William Brantley Van Ingen, a journeyman who studied with the artist John LaFarge and worked in the studios of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Van Ingen also created panels for such distinguished buildings as the old Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., the United States Mint in Philadelphia and the State Capitol in Harrisburg, Pa.
In a letter to university librarian Mary Cobb dated September 22, 1948, Van Ingen recalled his plans for the murals. My constant thought in all this work was to make something students would be interested in and like, he wrote. The murals were restored in 1974 by students of the Cooperstown Graduate Program in the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works.
In making the donation, Carrier Commercial Applied Equipment and Services vice president and general manager Roger D. Morey said, Carrier is proud to aid the University at Albany in its efforts to maintain the murals. This represents an opportunity for us to give something back to New York. The murals serve as an important reminder of the heritage of New York, and Carrier is proud to help preserve that heritage.
The donation consists of two large rooftop air conditioners, one air handler, four hot water re-heat coils and one air-cooled condenser unit. The system will enable the Hawley Library to maintain a stable, climate-controlled environment, removing humidity from the indoor air and distributing the cooled air more evenly.
Carrier Corporation is the worlds largest manufacturer of heating and air conditioning systems and equipment. It is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation, provider of a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace, building systems and automobile industries.
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