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Page 30 text:
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Social Values Reflected in Campus Construction Bascom Hall, with its white pillars gleaming, boldly overlooks the univer- sity as a symbol of an institution steeped in a tradition of academic excellence. Looking downward from this histori- cal landmark stand buildings from many different eras. Each reflects the way society has changed over the past 130 years. Before the birth of the University of Wisconsin, high school graduates most likely attended colleges which were predominantly denominational, sex- ually segregated and enforced dorm residency. However, when the State of Wiscon- sin joined the Union in 1848, the state constitution required that a university be established near or at the seat of state government. Thus, the University of Wisconsin was established in 1849. The university consisted of only a few buildings. The first to be built in 1855 was North Hall. It was also known as North Middle, North Col- lege, and North Dormitory. Then in 1857, South Hall and Bascom Hall, referred to as Old Main or University Hall, were built. Wisconsin sandstone was used in constructing the building foundations and walls; the floors and roofs were made of partitions of tim- her. The university was still an academic infant when the Civil War began and threatened the schools existence. Funds from the state were funneled out of education and into the armed forces. Many students volunteered for the draft, and the 1864 commencement ceremony had to be cancelled. Peace brought expansion to the uni- versity. For the first time in 14 years, fund and enrollment levels were suffi- cient to permit the construction of more buildings. Music Hall, originally called Assem- ble Hall, was built in 1871. This Victo- rian Gothic structure, resembling a church, was also built of sandstone. Its stained-glass windows depicting reli- gious scenes were meant to be artistic inspirations to the music students. Only two windows remain. During this period, the university expanded further to accommodate changes in the fields of science and technology. The red brick Science Hall was built from such fireproof materials as steel and hollow tiles to guard against fire, which destroyed the original Science Hall four years earlier. Science Hall, engineered by a university professor who was aided by Frank Lloyd Wright, was one of the first structures built using steel girders. Although typical of the popular Romanesque style featuring arched doorways and towers, Science Hall hasnit always received praise for its appearance. The May 1918 edition of by Craig Roberts The Wisconsin Engineer said, ffHad the use of Madison sandstone been continued in fother buildingsy greater unity would have been conserved, espe- cially the deep red brick of Science Hall which breaks the harmony of the principle university groups? The Red Gym was built in 1894 in response to the growing interest in ath- letic recreation of the llGay Nineties? The building was the center of campus activity before World War 1. Between 1900 and 1917, Wisconsin residents were influenced by the Prog- ressive movement headed by Bob LaFollette. They also succumbed to the Wisconsin Idea which resolved that the university should be available to sokye the problems of the state, particularl? I in the area of agriculture In the period from 1908 to 1913, the Wisconsin Idea prompted constructiOn of the Stock Pavilion and other life-sci- ence buildings. e T. Lengnick
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Page 31 text:
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The university soon developed guidelines for future construction. In 1906, planners adopted a general color scheme for all projects and required that each new building be made of fire- proof material. Because sandstone was becoming too expensive, contractors were told to use a buff-color brick for buildings near the principle group and a dark brown brick for those farther away. Architects also encouraged a return to the Italian Renaissance style. Enrollment and funding dropped because of World War I. The restraint and economic strain carried over to the early 19203. Even though enrollment increased after the war, there was little long-range planning done and few buildings were erected. In sharp contrast came the ttRoaring Twenties? Under new leadership, gov- ernment increased funds for university construction, enrollment, and expan- sion of programs. Tripp and Adams menls dorms were built, and the Mem- orial Union construction was funded by students, alumni and faculty. Construction and program expan- sion continued non-stop until the onset of the Depression. Aside from eco- nomic problems, there was a declining lack of confidence in university leader- ship, and political turmoil grew within the state. Student enrollment dropped dramat- ically, and those who remained rebelled againstithe status quo. Construction was sparse. The Caril- lon Tower, with its 56 bronze bells dan- gling from the 85-foot-high perch, was one of the only privately funded pro- jects built during the Depression. Com- pleted in 1935, the tower was a gift to the university from the classes of 1921- 1926. By 1935, economic pressures eased with the policies of the New Deal, and enrollment climbed. The Wisconsin Union Theater, Elizabeth Waters Hall and other dormitories were built in 1939 under the Public Works Adminis- tration program. During World War II, enrollment increased again when members of the armed forces took courses as part of their training. However, construction was limited. Because of the conserva- tism during the 505, only two struc- tures - Memorial Library and Bab- cock Hall - were built. As post-war babies grew up and began to enter col- leges, the university officials saw 21 dec- ade of successively Photos this page by S. Brown higher levels of enrollment. With this promising forecast for edu- cation, the administration received leg- islative backing for the most intense building boom ever carried out at the UW. Construction crews rebuilt nearly the entire campus with functional and low- cost structures placed amid the older, more graceful buildings. F irst to be built were Van Vleck and the southeast dorms. Soon to follow were Humanities, Vilas, the natato- rium, Elvehjem Art Center, Helen C. White library, Chemistry and Animal Science. The building boom slowed in the early 19705 when enrollment figures began to level off and economic pres- sures forced budget cutbacks. The uni- versity moved toward maintenance and remodeling instead of construction. The appearance of the campus has changed drastically over the years, but no matter what the social, economic or political atmosphere, the university has continued to build a tradition of aca- demic excellence.
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