The University of Wisconsin–Madison (also known as UW–Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin, or UW) is a public "research univeristy" located in Madison, Wisconsin. Founded in 1848, it is the largest university in the state with a total enrollment of over 41,000 students, of whom approximately 29,000 are undergrads.
This Victorian Gothic building, built in 1878, was initially named Assembly Hall and was designed to house an 800-seat auditorium, a library, and a clock tower. Dedicated on March 2, 1880, the building originally held conventions, dances, and commencement ceremonies, along with its primary purpose of a library. After the library moved to different buildings on campus, a portion of the hall was assigned to the School of Music in 1900. Shortly after renovations in the early 1900s, the building was officially named Music Hall in 1910, where it still remains an important music venue and home to the university opera This building also is home to the Department of Urban and Regional Planning, with part of the building being used as office space and classrooms.
Bascom Hall
As one of the most recognizable buildings on campus, Bascom Hall, at the top of Bascom Hill, is one of the icons of the UW campus and is often considered the "heart of the campus." Built in 1857, the structure has been added to several times over the years although a decorative dome atop the structure was destroyed by fire. The building currently houses the office of the university's chancellor and vice chancellors.
As one of the most recognizable buildings on campus, Bascom Hall, at the top of Bascom Hill, is one of the icons of the UW campus and is often considered the "heart of the campus." Built in 1857, the structure has been added to several times over the years although a decorative dome atop the structure was destroyed by fire. The building currently houses the office of the university's chancellor and vice chancellors.
Humanities Building Max is playing a structure outside the humanities building. This building is the most maligned structure on campus. UW-Madison officials can hardly wait to knock it down; the chancellor himself has joked about auctioning off the privilege of pushing the demolition plunger.
It has; however, been called an excellent example of an architectural style known as "Brutalism." It was designed by one of Chicago's revered architects, Harry Weese. Weese has a long list of modern buildings to his credit. They include our Chazen Museum, right next to the Humanities Building; the Washington D.C. Metro System; the cape-shaped Seventeenth Church of Christ Scientist in Chicago; and the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago, with its narrow slit windows.
Since this building currently hosts the Music Faculty, this was of interest to us. As amusing as the structure might be, the Music department is in the 'basement' and appears to be the most vocal about their needs. University officials have decided to demolish this building and there is a $43.8 million Music Performance Building replacing the current Humanities Building!!
The Terrace
The first, Memorial Union, was built in 1928. The Memorial Union, also known as the Union or the Terrace, has gained a reputation as both one of the most beautiful and rowdy student unions or student centers on a university campus. Memorial Union is located on the shore of Lake Mendota, and it is a popular spot for socializing among students, as well as the public, while gazing at the lake and the sailboats that are often present. The union is known for the "Rathskeller," a German pub that directly connects to the lake terrace. The Rathskeller serves "Rathskeller Ale", a beer brewed expressly for the Terrace. Memorial Union is home to many arts outlets, including several art galleries, a movie theater, and the Wisconsin Union Theater, and the Craftshop, one of the first in the nation.
The Red GymNo building on campus represents the mind, heart, and spirit of the University of Wisconsin-Madison better than the Armory and Gymnasium, commonly known as the "Old Red Gym."
It was a "red letter day" for the University of Wisconsin when the Armory-Gymnasium on Langdon Street opened with a flourish in 1894.
"The friends of the institution, and it surely has no enemies worth
considering, have made the formal occupation of the handsome new armory the
occasion of an athletic festival which serves to demonstrate at once to the
public the various and important uses of the substantial improvement," the
Wisconsin State Journal wrote in an editorial.
"The new armory is a splendid structure, admirably adapted to the many
requirements which will be made upon it, and worthy of the great state which has
furnished it for its greatest educational institution," the newspaper continued,
as it joined the citizens of Madison in celebrating the May 24-25 event. The
opening, the Madison Democrat said, "is an event in which all lovers of that
noble institution greatly rejoice."
The Daily Cardinal predicted the program "will undoubtedly be recorded as most
important in the university's history." Classes were canceled, and railroads
offered reduced rates to those wishing to attend. The festival started on
a Thursday night with a "magnificent rendition" of Handel's oratorio, Messiah,
by the Madison Choral Union with soloists considered to be "the very best
artists in the country."
To ensure its historic preservation well into the next century, the Gym has become the gateway or "front door" of the university. Prospective students and their families, as well as thousands of visitors, will be welcomed here on their first visits to the campus. Just inside the front door in the historic Artillery Drill Room will be the single most important source of information about the university's departments and many programs--the Campus Assistance and Visitors Center. Currently, unlike most major universities in the country, we do not have an established visitors center.
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