Constitution Hall (University of Alaska Fairbanks) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Constitution Hall
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Constitution Hall in 2012
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 Location in Fairbanks
Location in Alaska
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| Location | University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, Fairbanks, Alaska |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1955 |
| Built by | Pacific Construction Company |
| Architect | Foss, Malcom & Olson |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement |
| NRHP reference No. | 05001196 |
| Added to NRHP | November 3, 2005 |
Constitution Hall is a very important building at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Fairbanks, Alaska. It's also known as Convention Hall or Alaska Constitution Hall. This building was finished in 1955. That same year, something super important happened here: the Alaska State Constitution was written! This was a huge step for Alaska to become a state.
Today, Constitution Hall is a student center. It has a bookstore, a barbershop, and offices for university alumni. You can also find the campus mail room here.
Contents
What is Constitution Hall?
Constitution Hall is a two-story building made of strong, reinforced concrete. It was built in 1955 by the Pacific Construction Company. The architects who designed it were Foss, Malcom & Olson.
A Special Place for Students
This building serves as the main student center for the University of Alaska Fairbanks. It's a busy spot where students can find many services. You can buy books and supplies at the bookstore. There's even a barbershop for quick haircuts.
Offices and Mail Services
Constitution Hall also houses offices for the university's alumni association. Alumni are people who used to be students at the university. The campus mail room is also located here. This is where students and staff can send and receive mail.
Why is Constitution Hall Famous?
Constitution Hall is famous because of a major event that happened there in 1955. This event helped Alaska become a state. Before 1959, Alaska was a United States territory, not a state.
The Alaska State Constitution
To become a state, Alaska needed its own constitution. A constitution is like a rulebook for a government. It explains how the state will be run and what rights its citizens have.
Drafting Alaska's Rulebook
In 1955, a group of people called delegates met in Constitution Hall. Their job was to write the new Alaska State Constitution. They worked hard to create a fair and strong set of rules for the future state. This meeting was a huge milestone for Alaska. It showed that Alaskans were ready to govern themselves.
Becoming a Historic Place
Because of its important role in Alaska's history, Constitution Hall was recognized nationally. In 2005, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special place that should be preserved for future generations.
