| Additional Information: | Built originally as a Carnegie Library, the World Affairs Center is architecturally significant as the finest extant example in Beloit of the Classical Revival which influenced institutional architecture in teh early 20th century. A rectangular block, with projecting central pavilion and chambered sides, the building is crowned with a heavy but crisply molded cornice, topped by a parapet. In the central pavilion, a recessed entry, supported by colossal Corinthian columns and engaged pilasters, features a doorway framed by carved festoons and geometric moldings and surrounded by colossal Corinthian pilasters. Window frames throughout have unornamented projecting cornices and sills. The stone is laid with deep joints, to give the appearance of massiveness and solidity.
The firm of Patton and Miller was extant betwen 1901 and 1912. Patton was associated with many other institutional buildings and libraries throughout the country during his career, and with several buildings at Beloit College between 1893 and 1905. They include Emerson Hall (c.f., 1897-1898, NRHP, 1979), the Student Union (c.f., 1903-1904) and the Pettibone World Affairs Center (c.f., 1903-1905).
Funded with a gift of $50,000 from Andrew Carnegie, ground was broken in December, 1903, the cornerstone was laid on May 27, 1904, and the building dedicated on January 5, 1905. The President's office was on the main floor of the new building after its opening, and the building served as the college library until the completion of the Morse Library in 1962. The building, on being vacated, was remodelled to serve as the World Affairs Center (Pettibone Center), housing the World Affairs offices, and the faculty offices and classrooms for modern languages and some members of the English department. |
|---|
| Bibliographic References: | (A) Historical Sites and Points of Interest in Rock County, Wisconsin, Rock County Tourism Council, 5/1994.
(B) Robert H. Irrmann, "Data on Beloit College Buildings," on file at RCHS Archives.
(C) NRHP Nomination form, 1979, for Emerson Hall. |
|---|
