Kenney Gym and Kenney Gym Annex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Military Drill Hall and Men's Gymnasium
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Kenney Gym Annex (2006), built in 1890 as a drill hall
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| Location | 1402-1406 W. Springfield Ave Urbana, Illinois |
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| Built | Drill Hall (Annex): 1890 Gymnasium: 1902 |
| Architect | Drill Hall (Annex): Nathan Clifford Ricker Gymnasium: Nelson Strong Spencer |
| Architectural style | Gymnasium: Renaissance Revival |
| MPS | University of Illinois Buildings by Nathan Clifford Ricker TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 86003144 |
| Added to NRHP | November 19, 1986 |
The Kenney Gym and the Kenney Gym Annex are two important buildings. You can find them in Urbana, Illinois, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Even though they are connected now, they were built at different times. In 1986, both buildings were added to a special list called the National Register of Historic Places. They were listed as the Military Drill Hall and Men's Gymnasium.
Contents
History of the Kenney Gym Buildings
These two buildings have a long and interesting history. They started as separate structures. Over time, they became connected and changed their uses.
The Kenney Gym Annex: A Drill Hall First
The building now known as the Kenney Gym Annex was built first. It is the easternmost of the two structures. It was constructed between 1889 and 1890. Its first purpose was a Military Drill Hall. Nathan Clifford Ricker designed this one-story building.
In 1914, the inside of the Drill Hall changed. It became a gymnasium. At that time, it was called the Annex to the Men's Gym. The large, open space inside was kept. This open space was very important for military drills. In 1918, an addition was built on the eastern side of the building.
The Kenney Gym: A Men's Gymnasium
The Kenney Gym is the two-story building to the west. It was built in 1902. Nelson Strong Spencer designed this building. Its style is called Renaissance Revival. This style was greatly influenced by Ricker's design for the drill hall.
This building was first named the Men's Gymnasium. In 1925, Huff Hall opened. The Men's Gymnasium was then renamed the Men's Old Gym. In 1974, it received its current name. It was named after Harold Eugene "Hek" Kenney. He was a famous wrestler, coach, and administrator at the university.
Sports Teams and Tournaments
Before 1925, Kenney Gym was home to the Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team. The women's volleyball team also played here. They used the gym from 1974 until 1989. The men's wrestling team also trained here. Later, these teams moved to Huff Hall.
From 1919 to 1925, Kenney Gym hosted big events. It was the site for the state finals. These were for the Illinois High School Association boys' basketball tournament.
Current Use of the Buildings
Today, both buildings are still very active. They serve different purposes for the university and a local high school.
Kenney Gym Annex: A Multi-Purpose Arena
The Kenney Gym Annex is a large space. It can seat about 5,000 people. It is a multi-purpose arena. This means it can be used for many different events.
Kenney Gym: Practice Facility
The Kenney Gym is now a practice facility. It is used by the Fighting Illini men's and women's gymnastics teams. They train here to prepare for their competitions.
Local High School Use
The buildings are also used by University Laboratory High School. This high school is located nearby in Urbana. They use Kenney Gym for their high school volleyball and basketball games. It is also used for their physical education classes.
