Houston Hall (University of Pennsylvania)
Encyclopedia
Houston Hall is the student union at the University of Pennsylvania
, established in 1896. The idea of a student union was first established at Oxford University
in 1823. Seventy-three years later, Houston Hall became America's first (and now oldest) student union
and student union building, both being based on the models of the Cambridge University and Oxford University Unions.
In 1893, the University of Pennsylvania Trustees decided to provide a facility for the social and recreational use of students. Trustee (later Provost) Charles Custis Harrison announced a contest for its design, open to students and recent graduates of the University of Pennsylvania School of Architecture. Two students, William C. Hays and Milton Bennett Medary
, Jr., won the competition. The final design for the building was a combination of the two entries, and was executed by architect and faculty member Frank Miles Day
with Hays and Medary listed as associate architects. To finance the project, Harrison secured a donation of $100,000 from the Trustee Henry Howard Houston and his wife Sallie S. Houston. The Hall was named as a memorial for the son of its principal benefactors, Henry Howard Houston, Jr., (University of Pennsylvania class of 1878) who died in Rome within a year of his graduation. The cornerstone of the building was laid on January 22, 1894, and Houston Hall was dedicated January 2, 1896.
The original Houston Hall contained a bowling alley, swimming pool, music room, gymnasium, theater, and a billiards room as well as lounge and reception areas. Before the opening of the building itself, a "Houston Club" was formed, allowing membership to any male student and charging yearly dues of two dollars. These dues were then applied to the operation of the facilities. Bennett Hall, a version of Houston Hall exclusively for women, was built in 1926.
Houston Hall has undergone several renovations throughout its history, first in 1936 by Robert Rhodes McGoodwim, and again by Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates (an architectural firm led by Robert Venturi
and Penn graduate Denise Scott Brown
) in 2000.
Houston Hall now contains a cafeteria
and other eating establishments, study rooms, auditoriums, and numerous meeting rooms and offices.
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, established in 1896. The idea of a student union was first established at Oxford University
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
in 1823. Seventy-three years later, Houston Hall became America's first (and now oldest) student union
Student activity center
A student activity center is a type of building found on university campuses. In the United States, such a building is more often called a student union, student commons, or student center...
and student union building, both being based on the models of the Cambridge University and Oxford University Unions.
In 1893, the University of Pennsylvania Trustees decided to provide a facility for the social and recreational use of students. Trustee (later Provost) Charles Custis Harrison announced a contest for its design, open to students and recent graduates of the University of Pennsylvania School of Architecture. Two students, William C. Hays and Milton Bennett Medary
Milton Bennett Medary
Milton Bennett Medary, Jr. was an American architect from Philadelphia, practicing in the firm Zantzinger, Borie and Medary from 1910 until his death....
, Jr., won the competition. The final design for the building was a combination of the two entries, and was executed by architect and faculty member Frank Miles Day
Frank Miles Day
Frank Miles Day was a Philadelphia-based architect who specialized in residences and academic buildings. In 1883, he graduated from the Towne School of the University of Pennsylvania, and traveled to Europe. In England, he apprenticed under two architects, and won the 1885 prize from the...
with Hays and Medary listed as associate architects. To finance the project, Harrison secured a donation of $100,000 from the Trustee Henry Howard Houston and his wife Sallie S. Houston. The Hall was named as a memorial for the son of its principal benefactors, Henry Howard Houston, Jr., (University of Pennsylvania class of 1878) who died in Rome within a year of his graduation. The cornerstone of the building was laid on January 22, 1894, and Houston Hall was dedicated January 2, 1896.
The original Houston Hall contained a bowling alley, swimming pool, music room, gymnasium, theater, and a billiards room as well as lounge and reception areas. Before the opening of the building itself, a "Houston Club" was formed, allowing membership to any male student and charging yearly dues of two dollars. These dues were then applied to the operation of the facilities. Bennett Hall, a version of Houston Hall exclusively for women, was built in 1926.
Houston Hall has undergone several renovations throughout its history, first in 1936 by Robert Rhodes McGoodwim, and again by Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates (an architectural firm led by Robert Venturi
Robert Venturi
Robert Charles Venturi, Jr. is an American architect, founding principal of the firm Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates, and one of the major figures in the architecture of the twentieth century...
and Penn graduate Denise Scott Brown
Denise Scott Brown
Denise Scott Brown, is an architect, planner, writer, educator, and principal of the firm Venturi, Scott Brown and Associates in Philadelphia...
) in 2000.
Houston Hall now contains a cafeteria
Cafeteria
A cafeteria is a type of food service location in which there is little or no waiting staff table service, whether a restaurant or within an institution such as a large office building or school; a school dining location is also referred to as a dining hall or canteen...
and other eating establishments, study rooms, auditoriums, and numerous meeting rooms and offices.