This photograph shows the Main Building during its days as State University
(1908-1916). The ivy creeping up the side gives it a different character than
its look today. Looking to the extreme right in the center, one can see the
cannon on its cement block. Just above the cannon, to the direct right of the tree,
one can see the dome of the Old Chemistry
Building (Gillis Building). The first floor windows to the right
have striped canopies to block the light of the setting sun.
 |
| Chapel |
The Main Building was the first building on campus. Designed by Architect
H.P. McDonald, the building was built of brick fashioned from campus clays and
stone, at a cost of $81,000. It opened in 1882. It was built in the same year as the Old Dormitory (White Hall)
and the Residence
where President James K.
Patterson lived. It is also the only building of those three that
still stands. In 1882, "all
academic functions took place there, and professors' classrooms doubled as
their offices" (Cone, 1989). Originally housed in the building were all
campus offices, classrooms, and related facilities including: the College
armory and the classrooms used by the Commandant of Cadets; a shop; the
President's Office (equipped with fireplaces and a classroom); a natural
history museum; two laboratories; the Normal, French, German, English,
Mathematics, Classical, and Preparatory departments; an assembly room
containing an organ; a smaller chapel (which was able to seat the entire
student body, faculty, and staff); the headquarters of the Union Literary and
Philosophian societies; and the Kentucky Geological Survey.
The three buildings were funded by bonds issued to fulfill the pledges of
the Lexington City Council and the Fayette County Court that totaled $50,000.
The pledges competed against ones made by Bowling Green. If Bowling Green had
pledged higher, it is possible the University could have been located there.
The city and county met their pledge and more, offering funds of $86,000. More
funds came from a property tax levied by the state legislature which produced
about $20,000 in funds. As opposed to the one time offer of the city and
county, the property tax would offer funds year after year. Finally, the
University also had a land grant endowment fund set up when it was called
A&M College and was part of the sectarian Kentucky University. Still, building
funds were gone by mid-1881. Fear of a repeal of the property tax caused banks
to refuse the University loans. President
Patterson had to offer his own monies to get a loan that would
complete construction of the building (Cone, 1989).
 |
| 1890 with rounded cupola |
Gracing the roof of the building was a tower crowned by a cupola, 157 feet
in height. The cupola featured a clock (supposedly built by a professor) and a
"captain's walk", and housed the local Weather Observatory. This
structure was progressively dismantled and shortened or altered and after 1919
the roof of the edifice manifested the "flattened", gabled appearance
which characterized it until recent fire.
The Main Building was severely damaged by fire on May 15, 2001 and all
offices were relocated during the extensive reconstruction; it was officially
reopened October 25, 2004. Currently, it houses administrative offices,
including the President's office,
conference rooms, classrooms, and the Visitor Center. The
interior of the building has undergone many rearrangements since its construction;
only the stairways and two hallways remain.
Please see http://www.uky.edu/PR/News/Archives/2004/Oct2004/041025_main_bldg_construction_history.htm
for UK Main Building construction history.
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