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 large building is used as a concert hall and the university's biggest lecture hall. It stands out because of its large size and its unique dome.

The auditorium was finished in 1907. It was designed by Clarence H. Blackall, a well-known architect who designed theaters. The building has a round shape, like a circle. Its dome is made of copper and has 396 lights.

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

History of Foellinger Auditorium

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

Designing the Auditorium

The university chose Clarence H. Blackall to design the building. He was a former student of the university. Blackall had designed many famous theaters, like the Wilbur and Colonial Theatres in Boston. He picked a special spot for the new building. He believed it would become the center of the university's growth.

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 to his plans. His original idea included a much larger building. It would have had a copper dome with a glass opening at the top. It was also planned to have 2,500 seats and a special wing for the School of Music.

Because of the budget cuts, Blackall made the building smaller. The dome was built from sheet metal instead of copper. He also removed the backstage areas. However, he designed it so a backstage could be added later.

Building and Dedication

Even with less money, construction of "the Auditorium" began and finished in 1907. It was built on a strong granite foundation. The walls were made of brick and Indiana limestone.

When it was finished, the building could hold 2,500 students. This was more than the entire student body at that time. The auditorium was officially opened with a two-day event in November 1907. It was first dedicated to the famous composer Edward MacDowell.

Blackall was not happy about the changes forced by the budget. He once said he wished the building would burn down. He wanted someone to have the chance to rebuild it correctly.

Solving the Sound Problem

Before the building's opening, a big problem was discovered. The hall had a "fearful echo," as President James described it. Fixing the sound was given to the Physics Department. Professor Floyd Rowe Watson, who knew little about sound at first, spent six years solving the problem. He became an expert in acoustics. Updates to the inside of the building in 1915 and 1937 helped fix the echo.

Early Sculpture Placement

The famous Alma Mater sculpture by Lorado Taft was once located outside the south end of the Auditorium. Today, two pieces from Taft's Fountain of Creation are in that spot. The Alma Mater sculpture is now outside Altgeld Hall.

Updates and Renovations

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

The 1915 changes were made to improve the building's serious echo problem. In 1937, many seats were replaced. This reduced the seating capacity from 2,500 to 1,936 seats. The renovation also added dressing rooms. The inside dome ceiling was lowered to help with the echo. Some decorations were also removed.

In 1951, more changes were made to meet fire safety rules. Fire doors were added throughout the building. Stairwells were also separated from the main lobby.

By 1970, many people thought the old Auditorium should be torn down. However, a generous gift saved it. In 1983, Helene Foellinger, a university graduate, gave $3 million. She was a newspaper publisher from Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Thanks to her gift, the auditorium was renovated again. Architect Walker Johnson oversaw the work. He used Blackall's original plans and drawings to bring the building closer to its first design. New wings and a backstage area were added, totaling 6,000 square feet. A new wooden stage floor was put in, and all the seats were 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 and 396 lights. The stage lighting and sound system were also improved.

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

What Foellinger Auditorium is Used For Today

Today, Foellinger Auditorium is mainly used as a large lecture hall for classes. It also hosts many other events. These include guest speakers, performances, and concerts. The manager of the Auditorium says that about 17,000 students use the building for classes each week. Another 5,000 to 10,000 people attend various events there.

A camera on top of the auditorium shows 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 semi-circular area. If you stand exactly in the center of this spot, you can hear an echo of your own voice. Students on campus often call this area the "echo spot."

Past Events and Famous Visitors

Many famous people have visited Foellinger Auditorium over the years.

Speakers at the Auditorium

Performers at the Auditorium