Vol Walker Hall (earlier Vol Walker Library) is a building on the
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas (U of A, UArk, or UA) is a public land-grant research university in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and the largest university in the state. Founded as Arkansas ...
campus in
Fayetteville, Arkansas. It contains the
Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. The structure was added to the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...
in 1992.
Eponym
The University of Arkansas Board of Trustees changed the name to honor
James Volney "Vol" Walker in the spring of 1934. An 1877 University of Arkansas alumnus, respected lawyer, and member of the Arkansas legislature, Walker was instrumental in keeping the University in Fayetteville despite efforts to move it.
History
Vol Walker Hall was born when University President
John C. Futrall
John Clinton Futrall (March 9, 1873 – September 12, 1939) was an American football coach and college administrator. An alumnus of the Arkansas Industrial University, later renamed the University of Arkansas, he was the first head coach of the Ar ...
decided to utilized
Public Works Administration funds available to the
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas (U of A, UArk, or UA) is a public land-grant research university in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and the largest university in the state. Founded as Arkansas ...
to build a new library. Planning for the new library (and also a new science building) began in March 1931.
A similar library at the
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester (U of R, UR, or U of Rochester) is a private university, private research university in Rochester, New York. The university grants Undergraduate education, undergraduate and graduate degrees, including Doctorate, do ...
was used as a blueprint, and eventually Futrall brought in the original designers of the Rochester library, Gordon and Kaehler.
The hall contained the University library from 1935 until 1968, when it was supplanted by
Mullins Library There are many buildings on the campus of the University of Arkansas. Most of the historic structures are part of the University of Arkansas Campus Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. This article focuses on the non-liste ...
. It was at this time that the name was changed to Vol Walker Hall.
Expansion
A two-year renovation and expansion of Vol Walker Hall was completed in 2013, culminating in the new Steven L. Anderson Design Center being attached to the historic structure. The design center added of studio, faculty, and classroom space and allows the
Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design to be entirely housed under one roof for the first time. Designed by the School of Architecture's Distinguished Professor Marlon Blackwell, the expansion has received several awards in the architecture community, including a 2018
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to su ...
Honor Award for Architecture, a 2014
American Institute of Architects
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to su ...
(AIA) Gulf States Honor Award and ''Architects Newspaper's'' Building of the Year.
See also
*
References
External links
University of Arkansas
{{DEFAULTSORT:Old Main (University Of Arkansas)
University of Arkansas buildings
University and college buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Arkansas
School buildings completed in 1935
Public Works Administration in Arkansas
National Register of Historic Places in Fayetteville, Arkansas
University and college buildings completed in 1935
1935 establishments in Arkansas