The Whitewater Normal School (now the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater) was a premier teachers' college at the turn of the 20th century. The school's enrollment had doubled between 1910 and 1924. This was partly due to the recently added courses in business education. As a result of this growth, the school needed more academic space. The East Wing was built in 1924-1925 at a cost of $250,000. It was constructed as an addition to the Old Main complex built between 1868 and 1911.

When completed the East Wing was the largest building on campus and was used to teach a variety of classes as well as housing a 1,000 seat auditorium and office space.

State Architect Arthur Peabody, a prolific Wisconsin architect, designed the addition as a bold, Renaissance Revival building that exemplified the grand academic building style that was common in the early 20th century. Constructed out of cream-colored brick on a limestone base, the East Wing building was designed to complement the design of the Old Main buildings. In 1970, arson destroyed much of Old Main. All that remains of the Old Main complex is the East Wing building.

Today the East Wing building is known as Hyer Hall and sits on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater campus. It is a working building, still housing classrooms and offices, and is open to the public during regular school hours.