University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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Spanning the Decades From completion in 1875 to rededication in 1991, Old Main towers over Fayetteville. 1871: Arkansas Industrial University established 1872: Two classroom buildings constructed on future site of Old Main 1873: Architect employed to make plans, specifications and estimates for a new building based on plans for the main building at the University of Illinois; construction bid awarded; temporary buildings moved to the west; ground broken for Old Main 1875: Old Main completed and first two floors put in use 1876: “Good oats” sown in front of building; “memo¬ rial” board sidewalk authorized from the building to point near Dickson Street 1879: Upper floors finished; organ purchased for chapel; bell purchased for north tower 1896: Sewer system installed, with discharge into valley to west 1897: Electricity connected to interior lamps 1949: Bells installed in north tower dedicated to all sons and daughters of the University who lost their lives in any war 1970: Old Main nominated to national Register of Historic Places 1973: Old Main’s 282 windows replaced 1979: Arkansas General Assembly appropriated S4.25 million for restoration; Mott, Mobley, McGowen and Griffin, Architects, of Fort Smith drew plans 1980: Bids exceeded available funds; Arkansas General Assembly reappropriated a part for other University projects and left about $2 million for Old Main renova¬ tion; architects developed plans to use available funds to renovate Old Main’s exterior and protect it while funds were raised to complete the job 1981: Last classes held in Old Main before it was vacated for restoration 1982: Fence secured building while restoration pro¬ ceeded 1985: Arkansas General Assembly again agreed to appropriate S4 million for restoration if the University could raise the rest; Campaign to Restore Old Main launched with ringing of the Nort h tower bell 10 times for the $10 million that was needed 1988: With funding assured by Governor Clinton’s release of funds, restoration work began 1991: Construction completed; classes held again in Old Main; rededication ceremonies honor givers and friends 2000: Old Main spans three centuries of the University of Arkansas, its story still being told. The rededication to me means re¬ committing ourselves to education in Arkansas, not just the building, but education as a whole. JEFF HARRELSON, class of 1992 I had Latin class in Old Main. The class met twice a day, five days a week, on the fourth floor. I ' m tickled to death they ' ve got an elevator in this building now. DALE BUMPERS, class of 1948 U.S. Senator Old Main is a symbol of the Univer¬ sity of Arkansas, but, more importantly, it ' s really a symbol of higher education for all of the people of this state, and it fulfills a lot of aspirations. H.L. HEMBREE, class of 1954 Nobody is more enthusiastic about the restoration of Old Main than I am because almost all of my classes were in Old Main. And to see it now car¬ peted — I used to run up and down those steps, you know, and you could even tell which ones had the squeaks. If you were sneaking in or sneaking out, you were real careful about not hitting the steps with the squeaks, and it ' s just beautiful what they ' ve done to it. WILLIE OATS, class of 1941 This dedication means an extreme amount to me because my wife and I both graduated here, and all of our four children have graduated from here also. DALESHEMAIN, class of 1937 I really think the rededication gives us the self-confidence and a vision for the future that we would have never realized had Old Main not been given new life. DR. B. ALAN SUGG, class of 1960 UA President CAMPUS LIFE 8

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THE MAIN ATTRACTION Old Main is more than just bricks and mortar,” Sen. Dale Bumpers told the more than 1,000 alumni, students and guest gathered on the east lawn of Old Main to celebrate the rededication of the restored 120-year-old landmark. E VERY story has a beginning, and for the University of Arkansas it started with Old Main — or as it was named ' n 1871, University Hall. The University’s story began 120 years ago with 160 acres and the firm belief in education by the people of Arkansas. Another milestone in the history of the University was reached with the rededication °t a building, which has stood as a symbol of •earning. Well, twenty years and $10.5 million later, Uld Main was placed back into the main¬ stre am, but not without much controversy an d enthusiasm. According to a group of third-year design students who asked to 1 emain nameless, the architecture of Old Alain was ruined. But other UA students believe the renovation was good for the school. It kicks,” Brandon Sproles said. “It takes Old Main from the past to the present.” Eiom the Cement Mixer to the actual Because the nearest railroad was 75 miles from the new university cam¬ pus — formerly Mdlroy ' s farm, lo¬ cated on a hill northwest of down¬ town Fayetteville — most building materials for Old Main had to be obtained from the local area: • Millions of bricks were made from clay dug within a mile of the site and fired in kilns on the properly (2,600,000 bricks were used in Old Main; others were used to build pri¬ vate structures nearby); • Sandstone from the Mdlroy farm was used to construct the Old Main basement; limestone for the facade was quarried nearby; • Lumber — 719,805 feet of it — was cut at a mill nearby on the White River; • Iron (260,000 pounds) and nails (260 kegs) had to be brought in by ox-cart. rededication. Old Main was a definite link between several generations. More than 1,000 alumni, students and guests gathered on the east lawn of Old Main to celebrate the rededi¬ cation of the UA landmark. According to Sen. Dale Bumpers, the millions of dollars spent on the refurbished Old Main was probably the best money ever spent on the UA campus. “Old Main is more than just bricks and mor¬ tar,” Bumpers said, adding that he was grateful for the new elevator because when he attended the UA, his classes were all on the fourth floor. Sen. J. William Fulbright was greeted with a standing ovation when he took the podium at the rededication ceremony. “It is a great pleasure to participate in this ceremony,” he said. The bells of Old Main interrupted him at 3 p.m., and he fell silent. He told the crowd that this was something worth listening to. Without the towers of Old Main to turn to in a time of despair and encourage¬ ment, there would be but mere tree tops and no more. OLD MAIN REDEDICATION 7

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ODE TO OLD MAIN • During the rededi¬ cation weekend, Chris Macechko, executive director of the Alumni Association, spoke at the alumni lun¬ cheon in the Arkansas Union. Macechko read a poem about Old Main and presented a slide show of the renovation. D. HOUSE PHOTO TIME WARP Gazing at the Old Main memo¬ rabilia on display, graduates were able to relive the good old days and the memories they shared in Old Main. Current students were able to travel back in time to get a feeling of how Old Main traditions were formed. B. EBBRECHT PHOTO TAKING IT HOME As a part of the rededication ceremonies, souvenirs ranging from books with Old Main trivia to pictures of the building to special-edition posters were sold to those who at¬ tended. B. EBBRECHT PHOTO THE GRANDTOUR • Alumni and friends were able to marvel at the renovations done to Old Main on the authentic tours provided by the Univer¬ sity. On the tour, a general history of the building was provided including a floor by floor description of the old verses the new. B. EBBRECHT PHOTO OLD MAIN REDEDICATION 9