1450 Linden Dr., University of Wisconsin campus | National or State Registers Record | Wisconsin Historical Society

National or State Registers Record

1450 Linden Dr., University of Wisconsin campus

National or State Register of Historic Places
1450 Linden Dr., University of Wisconsin campus | National or State Registers Record | Wisconsin Historical Society
NAMES
Historic Name:Agriculture Hall
Reference Number:85000571
PROPERTY LOCATION
Location (Address):1450 Linden Dr., University of Wisconsin campus
County:Dane
City/Village:Madison
Township:
SUMMARY
Agriculture Hall
1450 Linden Drive, Madison, Dane County
Architect: John T. W. Jennings
Date of Construction: 1903

Agriculture Hall is scenically situated on Observatory Hill at the northern end of Henry Mall. The Beaux Arts design incorporates a projecting entrance pavilion, a large two-story portico, and extensive classical ornamentation. The building contains three stories with a rusticated raised basement and a two story octagonal wing. On the exterior, three flights of broad concrete steps rise from Henry Mall to the main entrance. Inside, gray terrazzo steps descend ahead into the basement, while two curvilinear staircases ascend from either side to the first floor. At the top is a balcony overlooking the main entrance that is supported by two Ionic columns. The octagonal wing houses a two-story auditorium on the upper levels; the basement originally held the College of Agriculture's library, but is now used as a studio for the Department of Landscape Architecture.

Educationally and scientifically, Agriculture Hall symbolizes the importance of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. William Henry, founder and first dean, directed the university's experimental farms and taught botany. To promote agricultural sciences, Henry established the College of Agriculture and persuaded the state to fund the construction of Agriculture Hall. Dean Harry Russell, Henry's successor, established the college as a prestigious research center. He expanded the college to contain many other departments, including the nation's first department of Agricultural Economics and the first organized genetics program in the United States.

Landscape Architecture and Rural Sociology are currently located in the building, in addition to the administrative offices of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. It is open to students and staff during regular school hours.

PROPERTY FEATURES
Period of Significance:1900-1924
Period of Significance:1925-1949
Area of Significance:Architecture
Area of Significance:Education
Area of Significance:Science
Applicable Criteria:Event
Applicable Criteria:Architecture/Engineering
Historic Use:Education: College
Architectural Style:Beaux Arts
Resource Type:Building
Architect:Jennings,John T.W.
DESIGNATIONS
Historic Status:Listed in the National Register
Historic Status:Listed in the State Register
National Register Listing Date:03/14/1985
State Register Listing Date:01/01/1989
NUMBER OF RESOURCES WITHIN PROPERTY
Number of Contributing Buildings:1
Number of Contributing Sites:0
Number of Contributing Structures:0
Number of Contributing Objects:0
Number of Non-Contributing Sites:0
Number of Non-Contributing Structures:0
Number of Non-Contributing Objects:0
RECORD LOCATION
National Register and State Register of Historic Places, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin

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