When not working in carpentry, Eisenberg composes poetry. Her book of poetry, It's a Good Thing I'm Not Macho, was published in 1984.

Eisenberg's work as a journalist, which focuses on labor organization, has appeared in publications such as The Nation and the financial magazine Dollars and Sense.

Claude J. LeBlanc, as general superintendent for Beacon Construction, has supervised renovations and new construction all over Boston. But for LeBlanc, working in historic Harvard Yard on the Thayer Hall renovation has a special significance.

"There's a certain pride in knowing that you're part of maintaining and upgrading Harvard Yard's history," says LeBlanc, who also supervised the Weld Hall renovations.

"New construction is satisfying," says LeBlanc, who also oversees the current construction of Rosovsky Hall. "But there's a lot of satisfaction in knowing that perhaps another 100 years from now this building will still be here, and that you played a part in that."

Roberto Gomez, who erected the scaffolding for Thayer, voices sentiments similar to LeBlanc's. Gomez says he feels that when his children are grown, he will be proud to show them where he worked.

Other construction workers like carpenter Robert A. Perechodiuk say that special satisfaction can be derived from working for "one of the oldest colleges in the country."

Perechodiuk also prides himself on aiming to have the dormitories ready for students on time.

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Many construction workers at Harvard have interesting stories that stem from the University's historic nature.

"In every exterior window sill there are different names and years all scratched in," says carpenter Michael B. McCartin. "Altogether, there are literally hundreds of them."

Carpenter Ivan A. LeBlanc says that many of the nails used in the original Harvard buildings are socalled "Paul Revere nails," dating back to the times of the legendary American patriot.

But history, while it has its charms, can also create problems for construction efforts. "Harvard projects are dirtier and nastier than usual ones. They're not like new construction," Power says.

Power cites as problems the dust, debris and the poor quality of building materials from 100 years ago, which didn't have to pass the tests they must pass now.

Furthermore, workers say Harvard can be a challenging employer and customer to deal with--sometimes because of its efforts to maintain its historic character.