Anderson Hall (Manhattan, Kansas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Anderson Hall
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Anderson Hall
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| Location | Manhattan, KS |
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| Built | 1879 |
| Architect | Erasmus T. Carr |
| Architectural style | Gothic |
| NRHP reference No. | 80001471 |
| Added to NRHP | November 28, 1980 |
Anderson Hall is a very important building at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas. It's where the main offices for the university are located. A man named Erasmus T. Carr designed it.
When the first part of the building was finished in 1879, it was called the Practical Agriculture Building. Later, in 1902, it was renamed "Anderson Hall." This was to honor John Alexander Anderson, who was the second president of Kansas State Agricultural College.
Over the years, Anderson Hall has been home to many different things. It once had a place to eat called a canteen. There was also a barbershop and even a chapel inside. In 1965, an electronic carillon was added. This is like a giant set of bells that plays music and chimes to mark the hours. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
History of Anderson Hall
Anderson Hall was built in three main steps. First came the north part, then the middle section, and finally the south part. The state of Kansas first provided money for the building in 1877. Construction started in 1878, and the last part was finished in 1884. The building's purpose has changed a lot over the years. It has also been updated many times.
Building It
The construction of Anderson Hall began in 1877. The Kansas government gave $12,500 to build the north wing. Digging for the foundation started in March 1878. The first part of the building was ready to use a year later, in 1879.
At first, this part of the building had classrooms. Students learned about English, drawing, mathematics, and practical agriculture. The president's office was also there. The university's library was in the building from 1879 until 1894.
In 1880, the Kansas government gave another $30,000. This money was for building the central part of Anderson Hall, including its tall tower. The north wing also got an upgrade. It became the first building on campus to have steam heating.
A special time capsule was placed in the new foundation. It held campus records and copies of the school newspaper. It also contained transcripts of speeches and other important papers. A newspaper story from 1981 joked that it would stay hidden for a thousand years.
The new central section had a new office for the president. It also had a special fire-proof vault where the time capsule was buried. The main hall was grand, with a large, colorful stained glass window at the top. The back of the central section held the chapel. The chapel had a sloped floor with many rows of wooden folding chairs.
The south wing started being built in 1883. The state government gave $20,000 for this part. It was completed in 1884. Two porches facing east were also added to the front of the building. These were placed between the central section and the ends of the north and south wings. The new south wing had a model kitchen and a dairy. It also included a sewing room, offices, and more classrooms.
Changes Over Time
Anderson Hall has been updated many times since it was first built. Here are some of the changes:
- 1887: The chapel was made bigger, and the attic space was finished.
- 1892: An archway was opened between the secretary's office and the main hall.
- 1893: A well on the second floor was closed up.
- 1896: A cement floor was added to the basement hall.
- 1897: The president's office moved to the south side of the main hall.
- 1903: The porches were rebuilt and painted.
- 1904: A room used by a student literary group became four offices.
- 1908: The chapel was divided to create more classrooms for architecture students.
- 1919: A canteen (a place to buy food) and a barbershop were put in the basement.
- 1920: The chapel was turned into a recreation center for students.
- 1924: The canteen and barbershop closed.
- 1933: The east wall of the building was fixed because of water damage from vines.
- 1939: An office for the dean of women was added.
- 1945: The wooden porches were changed into office spaces.
- 1961: The east wall of the south wing was strengthened with steel pipes. These were later removed when the wall was rebuilt.
- 1965: A special electric carillon with 98 bells was put in the tower. This was a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Ralf Hockins of Arrington, Kansas.
- 1989: The central tower of Anderson Hall was repaired.
- 1993: On August 20, lightning struck the tower. This caused $1.25 million in damage to the building.
What Anderson Hall Is Used For Now
Today, Anderson Hall holds many of the main offices for Kansas State University. This includes the office of the university president. You'll also find offices for some of the vice presidents and deans here. The provost's office is in the building too. Many other offices related to legal matters, public relations, human resources, and student services are also located in Anderson Hall.
