Repairs Underway on Stagg Pavilion on East Campus

Gazebo that was built in 1902 suffered damage during a summer storm

A tree fallen on Stagg Pavilion.
A July storm knocked over a tree that damaged Stagg Pavilion on East Campus. Photo courtesy of Duke Facilities Management.

Duke Facilities Management will oversee repairs to Stagg Pavilion, a timeless piece of the East Campus landscape, after it was damaged during a summer storm.

On July 28, after several days of rain soaked the soil, an oak tree, estimated to be around 80 years old, blew over, landing on the roof of Stagg Pavilion.

The small stone-and-wood structure, often referred to as the East Campus Gazebo, has stood on the lawn in front of the East Duke building for more than a century.

Mary W. Lyon Stagg, granddaughter of Washington Duke, gave the funds to then-Trinity College to build the structure in October 1901. The octagonal pavilion with a copper roof was built in 1902 and has become a Duke landmark.

Stagg Pavilion has been an East Campus landmark since 1902. Photo courtesy of Duke University Archives.

The fallen tree, which was removed, damaged the wooden trusses and decking of the roof, as well as many of the copper roof tiles. Facilities Management is also working to assess the status of the small globe that sat at the peak of the roof.

Work on removing and replacing damaged sections of the roof structure will begin in the coming weeks.

The new copper roof tiles are expected to arrive later this fall. The pavilion’s new roof, which will match its previous look, is estimated to be complete near the end of the year.

Until the work is complete, community members are asked to stay out of the pavilion.

"Given the historic significance of Stagg Pavilion on East Campus, Facilities Management is following a repair and restoration plan that honors the traditional design of the 122-year-old structure,” said Evan Heisman, Communications and Support Services Manager for Duke Facilities Management.

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