University of Wisconsin Platteville - Pioneer Yearbook (Platteville, WI)

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d H e e r t n U 0 R This page was donated by the Alumni Association. 20 FEATURES

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FEATU RES 19

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With each gain some loss is expected. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville had anticipated that Rountree Hall would be eliminated from their proper- ty holdings as of August 7, 1974. In 1974 the Board of Regents formally authorized that the plot of property on which Rountree stands would be deed- ed to the city of Platteville upon com- pletion of the new science building tBoebel HalD and additional remodel- ing of campus buildings. The agree- ment required the city to maintain the building and have it placed on the Na- tional Historic Register. As of January 17, 1975, the building was recognized on the Register. This protected it and its grounds from de- molition by federally funded or assisted projects, such as road construction. The building also became eligible for matching federal grants for restora- tion. No state protection or funding was provided. All that was required of th city was maintenance of the build- mg. Concerns arose over the cost of run- ning Rountree. Fuel costs alone ran ap- proximately 3,000 dollars a month. The city was hesitant to accept the proposal for the same reason the Uni- versity was requested to give the build- ing away - low fuel efficiency. Other groups were contacted, but no one wanted Rountree because of the high maintenance overhead. The Wis- consin State Historical Society ex- pressed interest, but no funds for run- ning the building were available. In the end, the city accepted the pro- posal as originally drafted. Why were they willing to accept the tax burden? Public sentiment was the deciding fac- tor. The building, which dates back to 1853. holds a great deal of memories for the people of Platteville. Rountree Hall was the oldest building on campus before it was turned over to the city. Originally built as the Platte- ville Academy, it became the Platteville Normal School in 1866. The Mining School occupied the building from 1907 until their move to Ottensman Hall. Since then it has housed art, ge- ography, and history classrooms, along with offices. ' Currently, Rountree is headquarters for several city offices, the elderly drop-in center, and Congressman Al Baldus. Suggestions for future plans in- clude a museum or more city offices. Both ideas are tentative. The future of Rountree depends upon many factors - the community, state, and federal governments, and available funding. For the time, at least, the uni- versity's loss has become the city's historical gain. by Susan Polebitski FEATURES 21