McKenny Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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McKenny Hall
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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McKenny Hall
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| Location | Ypsilanti, Michigan |
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| Area | Eastern Michigan University campus |
| Built | 1931 |
| Architect | Frank Eurich, Jr. |
| Architectural style | Collegiate Gothic |
| Part of | Eastern Michigan University Historic District (PID24948) |
| NRHP reference No. | P24948 |
| Added to NRHP | 1984 |
McKenny Hall is a historic building at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It was the very first student union building on a teachers' college campus when it opened in 1931. A student union is a place where students can gather, relax, and find services.
Over the years, McKenny Hall has housed many different things. It once had bookstores, a bowling alley, a bank, and even a food court. It also had a big ballroom and other spaces for meetings and social events. Today, McKenny Hall is used for university offices. These include human resources and academic advising.
In 2006, the building closed for important renovations. This was done to keep the old building in good shape. Since then, it has served as office space for various university departments. McKenny Hall faces Cross Street and is near the famous Ypsilanti Water Tower.
Building History: A Place for Students
The idea for McKenny Union first came from President Charles McKenny in 1924. He was the president of the school, which was then called Michigan State Normal College. Construction on the building started on November 8, 1930. It was officially opened on October 24, 1931.
The building was named after Charles McKenny. He served as the school's president from 1912 to 1933. McKenny Union was special because it was the first student union at a teachers' college.
President McKenny wanted a student union to give students a central place to meet. By 1928, the school had promises for $350,000 to build it. However, the Great Depression started in 1929. This meant only $130,000 was collected by 1930. Because of this, the building's design had to be changed.
Changes and Renovations Over Time
In 1963, the building got a big addition. A company from Birmingham designed this expansion. The larger union was reopened on April 30, 1966. It now had a bookstore in the basement. There was also a new bowling alley for students to enjoy.
From 1992 to early 1993, McKenny Union was updated again. This renovation added a new roof to the building. It also included a bookstore on the first floor. A loading dock, a passenger elevator, and a bank were also added. The building was made easier to access for everyone.
In the early 2000s, EMU started thinking about a new student center. McKenny Union was getting too small for the growing university. At first, they thought about expanding McKenny. But this plan was too expensive.
Instead, a new building called The EMU Student Center was built. It opened in November 2006. After the new center opened, McKenny Union closed for another renovation. When it reopened, it was renamed McKenny Hall. Today, McKenny Hall houses offices for career services, human resources, and veteran services.
Building Style: Collegiate Gothic
McKenny Hall was designed by Frank Eurich Jr., an architect from Detroit. The building's style is called Collegiate Gothic. This style often features stone, pointed arches, and tall windows. It looks a bit like old European colleges. McKenny Hall also has some Art Deco features. Art Deco is a style known for its geometric shapes and rich decoration.
McKenny Hall is part of the Eastern Michigan University Historic District. This district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other buildings in this district include Starkweather hall, Welch Hall, and Pease Auditorium. These buildings are all on the campus of Eastern Michigan University.
