Dauer Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Dauer Hall (Florida Union)
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Gainesville, Florida |
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| Built | 1936 |
| Architect | Rudolph Weaver |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival |
Dauer Hall is a historic building on the campus of the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. It is a very important part of the university's history. This building is recognized as a historic place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 20, 1989.
Contents
History of Dauer Hall
Dauer Hall was designed by Rudolph Weaver. He used a style called Collegiate Gothic. This style looks like old European castles and churches. The building was finished in 1936.
Building it took several years. This was because of the Great Depression. That was a time when money was scarce. The beautiful stained glass windows on the front of the building were not put in until 1938. A famous person named William Jennings Bryan helped raise money for the building.
Early Days as the Florida Union
When it first opened, the building was called the Florida Union. It was the main place for students to gather. It had many useful things inside. There was a bookstore and a small library. Students could also find a soda fountain and a game room.
The building also had a hotel and a large hall for events. This hall was later called the Keene Faculty Center. There was even a small chapel. Student groups had their offices here. This included the Florida Alligator, the student newspaper. Later, parts of the second floor were used by the Religion Department and the YMCA.
In 1967, the Florida Union moved to a new building. This new building is now known as the J. Wayne Reitz Union.
Becoming Dauer Hall
After the Florida Union moved, this building was given to the University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. It was used for classrooms and offices for professors. So, its name changed to the Arts and Sciences Building.
In 1975, the building got its current name, Dauer Hall. It was named after Manning J. Dauer. He was the head of the political science department for a long time.
The Keene Faculty Center
The Keene Faculty Center is a special room inside the western part of Dauer Hall. It is mainly used by professors from the University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
What's Inside the Keene Faculty Center?
This room is quite large, about 1,600 square feet. It has a high ceiling and wood panelling on the walls. The floor is also made of wood. There are arched windows that let in light.
The main part of the room is a commons area. It has couches and comfy chairs. There are also tables and chairs for up to 75 people. The center also has a storage room and a small kitchen.
Professors and their guests can use the room on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It's a place to have coffee, read, and talk. People can also book the room for other events. These include dinners, receptions, concerts, lectures, and meetings. It can seat up to 50 people for dinner.
There is also a gallery on the second floor. This area looks down over the main room. It is used for smaller gatherings. Up to 14 people can have a luncheon there.
A Look Back: History of the Keene Faculty Center
The Keene Faculty Center was built in the late 1930s. It was first known as the Banquet Hall. It was connected to the Florida Union (Dauer Hall) and another building called the University Dining Hall.
The Banquet Hall opened around 1936 or 1937. It even had chandeliers that were left over from the building of University Auditorium. At first, the lower part of the room was a small café and bookstore. The upper part was used for banquets.
During World War II, Army trainees lived in UF residence halls. They used this room as a mess hall for their meals. After the war, it became part of the Florida Union. It was then called the Florida Union Social Room.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the room was a popular place for student activities. It was used as a ballroom for dances. It also hosted information fairs, student elections, and pep rallies. Bands would play music from the balcony. International dinners were also held here.
When the Florida Union moved in 1967, Dauer Hall was given to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. From 1970 to 1997, the Social Room became a language lab. It had almost 50 listening stations for students.
The Social Room was later restored to look like it did in the early 1900s. This project cost $500,000. It was paid for by Kenneth and Janet Keene. The room was renamed after them. The newly restored room was officially opened on November 12, 1998.
