When was old main built

An elevator was installed, the old chapel was charmingly restored, and the CU Heritage Center was opened on the third floor. Search Enter the terms you wish to search for. Other ways to search: Events Calendar Campus Map. Breadcrumb Home History Old Main The bell that hung in Old Main's bell tower was cast in , and though the date it was installed is unknown, it was in use by and was a regulator of campus life until the new building was constructed.

Though it was placed atop the new building, chimes took over the bell's role and the bell went largely unused. In the bell was removed from the tower and restored as part of the gift of the Class of The bell was then placed in a ground level display on the west side of Old Main in Old Main Lawn, meanwhile, has been a hub for student activity since the school's opening.

Over the years it has been used for recreation, concerts, festivals, rallies, and even a stage for presidential candidates. A stone at the southeast corner of the lawn commemorates the original quarry. At the base of the patio sits an armillary sphere, often mistaken for a sundial. Seven interlocking rings on the back of a turtle, it is an ancient astronomical instrument used to show positions of the rising and setting sun and was a gift of the class of Thanks to a gift by Penn State's Class of , Old Main's bell has been restored to its original luster, now in a new ground-level spot of honor next to the landmark building, for everyone to view.

The bronze bell, restored by Elderhorst Bells of Palm, Pa. To learn more about the bell and its restoration, watch the video here. Photos from the bell dedication are online at live. Old Main: The beginnings of Penn State. August 05, It is the oldest building still standing on the campus and the only one built in the 19th century still standing. By the turn of the 20th century, the more sentimental name of Old Main had gained currency, and the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees officially changed the name to Old Main in A firm at Helena, Arkansas, McKay and Helmle, was originally considered for designing a university hall, but trustees visited campuses in Illinois and Michigan, coming away set on having a main building like the one at Illinois Industrial University, designed by John Mills Van Osdel, a Chicago architect.

Although the two buildings were nearly identical, the towers were swapped, with the taller bell tower to the right side of the building and the smaller clock tower moved to the left.

Although the reason for the switch is unknown, two myths for why this switch occurred have attained:. Both of these stories appear to be legends. Don Schaeffer in his history of Old Main says the switch was made to make it easier for residents of downtown Fayetteville to see the clock tower, not that there was a clock to see. Because of expense, installation of a clockworks was put off.

Materials for construction came mostly from local sources.