Old Castle Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Castle Hall, Baker University
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 Location in Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Location | 513 5th St., Baldwin City, Kansas |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1858 |
| Architectural style | Plains Vernacular |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000309 |
| Added to NRHP | February 24, 1971 |
Old Castle Hall is a very old and important building in Baldwin City, Kansas. It was the very first building of Baker University, which is a well-known college. This historic hall was built a long time ago, between 1857 and 1858.
For many years, Old Castle Hall was the main place where students went to class. It also had a special meeting place for a group called the Palmyra Masonic Lodge on its top floor.
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What is Old Castle Hall?
Old Castle Hall is a historic building that has served many purposes over the years. It was built to be the first home for Baker University. This makes it a very special part of the university's history.
Early Days as a University Building
When it was first built, Old Castle Hall was the heart of Baker University. The first two floors were used for classrooms and other university activities. Students learned and studied in these rooms. The third floor was used by the Palmyra Masonic Lodge, a local community group.
The building was used for classes until 1871. By then, the university had grown bigger. New buildings were constructed to hold more students and classes.
Changing Uses Over Time
After 1871, Old Castle Hall was no longer the main classroom building. It was used for many different things. At one point, it became a mill, which is a place where grain is ground into flour. During this time, the third floor had to be rebuilt because of some problems with its structure.
Later, the hall was used as a dormitory, a place where students could live. It was also used for storage, holding various items for the university.
Old Castle Museum
In the 1950s, Old Castle Hall was carefully fixed up and made new again. It was then turned into the Old Castle Museum. Today, it is a museum where visitors can learn about the past.
What You Can See at the Museum
The Old Castle Museum shows many interesting items from history. You can see artifacts from the early days of Kansas as a state. There are also exhibits about the Methodist church, which played a big role in founding Baker University. Of course, the museum also has many things related to the history of Baker University itself. It's a great place to learn about how things used to be!
Building Features
Old Castle Hall is built from rough stone, which gives it a strong, old look. The corners of the building have special stones called "quoins" that make them look neat. You can actually see where the third floor was rebuilt because the stones look a little different there. The building has a simple rectangular shape. Inside, many changes have been made over the years.
National Recognition
Old Castle Hall is considered a very important historical site. On February 24, 1971, it was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the United States that are important to history and should be protected.
