Van Meter Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Van Meter Hall
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| Location | Bowling Green, Kentucky |
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| Built | 1910 |
| Architect | Brinton B. Davis, J. Bornstein |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| MPS | Warren County MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001042 |
| Added to NRHP | December 18, 1979 |
Van Meter Hall is a special building at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It was built in 1911 and added to a list of important old places, the National Register of Historic Places, on December 18, 1979.
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History of Van Meter Hall
Van Meter Hall was the very first building constructed on the campus of Western Kentucky University. It was also the first building designed by Louisville architect Brinton B. Davis. People called him the "hill builder" because he designed most of the university's layout from 1909 to 1939.
The building was finished in 1911. It looks a bit like the Acropolis's Erechtheion Temple in Greece. The most important part of the building was a large auditorium with 1,600 seats. This space was used for concerts and public events. Van Meter Hall also had office spaces. The building was named after Captain Charles J. Van Meter, who was a local riverboat captain and developer.
What Happens There Now?
Today, Van Meter Hall is home to the Campus and Community Events office. The auditorium is very busy! It hosts many different events. You can see plays, musical performances, and concerts there. Famous guest speakers, pageants, and dance shows also take place.
Van Meter Hall is also used for big meetings. The university president and other campus leaders use it for important events. Many famous people have performed on its stage. Some of them include comedian Carlos Mencia and sitar player Anoushka Shankar. The rock band Kiss and Nancy Cartwright, who voices Bart Simpson, have also been there. Country musician Charlie Daniels and many others have visited too.
Building Updates and Changes
Van Meter Hall has been updated many times over the years. Some smaller changes happened in 1968, 1969, and 1971.
A very big renovation and expansion started in the spring of 2008. More space was added to the back of the building. This gave extra room to the music and theater departments. The major update greatly improved the lights and seating in the auditorium. This helps student musicians and actors put on even better shows. The construction finished ahead of schedule. The building reopened in late spring of 2010.
Spooky Stories and Legends
Western Kentucky University has many interesting ghost stories. One popular story says that Van Meter Hall is haunted. The ghost is said to be a construction worker. He supposedly died from a fall above the auditorium stage during a renovation.
Some people say the worker died in 1909 after seeing an airplane for the first time. Other versions of the story say the ghost is an actress or a hermit. Some even say it's the university's former president, Henry Hardin Cherry. The supposed death date changes in different tales, from 1909 to the 1940s. People say the ghost moves furniture at night. It also turns off lights and causes computer problems!
