Foellinger Auditorium facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Foellinger Auditorium
(2013)
General information
Type	auditorium
Location	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Coordinates	40°06′21″N 88°13′38″W / 40.1059°N 88.2272°W / 40.1059; -88.2272
Construction started	1907
Completed	1907
Renovated	1915, 1937, 1951, 1970, 1983-85
Design and construction
Architect	Clarence H. Blackall
Other information
Seating capacity	1361

The Foellinger Auditorium is a famous building at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. It is located in Urbana, Illinois. This building is a concert hall and the university's biggest lecture hall. You can easily spot it because of its large size and its unique dome. It's one of the most recognized buildings on campus.

The auditorium was finished in 1907. It was designed by Clarence H. Blackall, a well-known architect. He designed it in the Beaux-Arts style. The building is mostly round, about 120 feet across. It has a big entrance area on the north side. Its copper dome has 396 lights.

The building was first named after the composer Edward MacDowell. Later, on April 26, 1985, it was renamed. This was to honor Helene Foellinger. Her generous gift helped pay for a big renovation of the building.

History of Foellinger Auditorium

The idea for this auditorium started in 1905. The university's president, Edmund Janes James, wanted a special building. He imagined it as a "noble monument" for music. He hoped it would be the best hall of its kind in the entire Mississippi Valley.

Who Designed the Auditorium?

The university leaders chose Clarence H. Blackall as the architect. He was famous for designing theaters. He also graduated from the University of Illinois in 1877. Blackall designed many theaters, including the Wilbur and Colonial Theatres in Boston.

A spot was chosen for the new building. Blackall believed this location was perfect. He said it would become the center of the university's growth. Even if it seemed far south at first, it would eventually be surrounded by other large schools.

Building Challenges and Changes

Blackall's first design was estimated to cost $200,000. However, the state government only approved $100,000. This meant Blackall had to make big changes. His original plan included a much larger building. It also had a copper dome with a glass opening. There would have been 2,500 seats and a special wing for the School of Music.

Because of the budget cut, the building became smaller. The dome was made of sheet metal instead of copper. Also, the backstage areas were removed. Blackall designed it so a backstage could be added later.

Construction of the building began and ended in 1907. It was first called simply "the Auditorium." It was built on a strong foundation of granite. The walls were made of brick and Indiana limestone. Even with the changes, the building could hold 2,500 students. This was more than the total number of students at the university back then.

Blackall was not happy about the changes. He once said he wished the building would burn down. He hoped someone would then rebuild it correctly.

Solving the Sound Problem

Before the building officially opened, a problem was discovered. The hall had a "fearful echo." This made it hard to hear properly. Professors from the Physics Department were asked to fix it.

Professor Floyd Rowe Watson worked on the problem for six years. He didn't know much about acoustics at first. But after solving the echo, he became an expert. Renovations in 1915 and 1937 helped improve the sound.

Art Outside the Auditorium

The famous Alma Mater sculpture by Lorado Taft was once here. It stood outside the south end of the Auditorium. Now, it is outside Altgeld Hall. Two pieces from Taft's Fountain of Creation are now in that spot.

Renovations and Upgrades

The Auditorium has been updated many times. Major renovations happened in 1915, 1937, 1951, and 1970.

Early Improvements

The 1915 changes focused on fixing the echo problem. In 1937, many seats were replaced. This reduced the number of seats from 2,500 to 1,936. Dressing rooms were added. The inner dome ceiling was lowered to help with the echo. Some decorations were also removed.

In 1951, changes were made for fire safety. Fire doors were added. Stairwells were separated from the lobby.

The Helene Foellinger Renovation

By 1970, some people thought the old Auditorium should be torn down. But in 1983, Helene Foellinger made a generous gift of $3 million. She was a newspaper publisher and a university graduate from 1932. Her gift saved the building.

The auditorium was then renovated again. Architect Walker Johnson led this project. He used Blackall's original plans and drawings. New wings and a backstage area were added. This added 6,000 square feet to the building. A new wooden stage floor was installed. All the seating was replaced. The old sheet metal dome was replaced with a new copper one. This new dome had a 4.5-foot pineapple shape on top. It also had 396 lights built into it. The stage lighting and sound system were also greatly improved.

On April 26, 1985, a special ceremony was held. The building was officially renamed "Foellinger Auditorium." After this renovation, the seating capacity was 1,750. There are 915 seats on the main floor and 835 in the balcony.

Current Uses of Foellinger Auditorium

Today, Foellinger Auditorium is still a very busy place. It is mainly used as a large lecture hall. Many economics classes are held here. The building also hosts guest speakers, performances, and concerts.

The manager of the Auditorium says about 17,000 students use it for classes each week. Another 5,000 to 10,000 people attend various events.

There is a camera on top of the auditorium. It shows a live video of the Main Quad. You can watch this video on the university's website.

Right in front of the building, at the bottom of the stairs, there is a special spot. If you stand directly in the center, you can hear an echo of your own voice. Students on campus call this the "echo spot."

Notable Events and Visitors

Many famous people have visited Foellinger Auditorium. They include important speakers and talented performers.

Speakers at Foellinger Auditorium

Performers at Foellinger Auditorium

Images for kids

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  Foellinger Auditorium in 2013