More than 42 years after fire destroyed the 70-foot tall tower of Memorial Hall, the University has decided to replace it.

The $4 million project will literally cap off the University's five-year, $2.1 billion Capital Campaign, now more than 90 percent complete with one year to go. The Campaign has provided for renovations to Memorial Hall, as well as the creation of Loker Commons and the Barker Center.

The tower burned Sept. 6, 1956, ironically in a restoration effort, when the acetylene torch of a worker set the structure ablaze. Its restoration will begin in June and conclude within a period of one to two years.

"Since 1956 this great building has suffered the ugly indignity of truncation," wrote Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles in an e-mail message. "Is it not a fitting end to the century and to the Campaign that Memorial Hall should be restored to its proper glory?"

The University has long contemplated this massive project.

"Early in the Campaign, we promised ourselves that by the end of the drive, we would not only have completed the restoration of Memorial Hall as it stands, but also undertake to rebuild its tower," said President Neil L. Rudenstine in a statement released by the Harvard News Office.

Architects, contractors and a number of Harvard officials have spent a year "knee-deep in the issue of how do we build it," said Elizabeth L. Randall, project manager for the tower.

The reconstruction has been a long time in coming, as the fire coincided with a move away from the type of architecture the building epitomized.

"It was fashionable at that time to deplore the decorative grandeur and the Victorian excess," Knowles noted.

Indeed, at that time the Boston Herald termed Memorial Hall the "most frightening building in Greater Boston," urging that the building be razed or a modern tower constructed.

Harvard is not listening.

Construction will not replicate the tower as itwas when it burned--copperclad and adorned withclocks on all sides. Rather, the building willmirror its 1878 appearance, with colored slate tomatch the roof and a bevy of copper crockets,pinnacles, parapets, fenestrals and finials.

Aside from minor changes, the building willremain loyal to the original design, Randall said.Months have been spent examining archived photos,estimating colors and perfecting myriad slopes andmeasurements.

Those familiar with Harvard's history who werecontacted yesterday appeared to be pleased thatthe tower will be reappearing on Harvard'ssignature edifice.

"Well glory be!" said Kenan Professor ofGovernment Harvey C. Mansfield '53. "We've beenwaiting a long, long time for the pinnacle ofMemorial Hall to reappear, and Harvard will bemuch improved when it returns."

The renovation elicited some strong approval inUniversity Hall as well.