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Memorial Union (Wisconsin)
Encyclopedia
The Memorial Union, known locally as simply "the Union", is located on the shore of Lake Mendota
on the campus
of the University of Wisconsin–Madison
in Madison, Wisconsin
. Between the building and the lake is the Terrace, a highly-popular outdoor space.
The exterior was designed by University Architect Arthur Peabody
. It opened in 1928, and is run by the Wisconsin Union
, a membership organization. Porter Butts, the first director, called it a "college union" because it combines the characteristics of a student union
("student activity center" in other countries) and a student government
("students' union" in other countries) in an organization that brings together students, faculty, and members of the surrounding community. It has gained a reputation as one of the most beautiful student centers on a university campus.
Outside the main building is the Memorial Union Terrace, a stone outdoor dining and recreation
area on the shore of Lake Mendota
. The Terrace was designed by Peabody's daughter, Charlotte. It is a popular spot for socializing among students and locals with the backdrop of the beautiful lake, sailboats in view, and with the sound of live music, usually free to the public (paid by student fees), in the evening.
The Union is also known for der Rathskeller
, a German
-style beerhall in the Union that directly connects to the Terrace outside. Political debates and card or board games are common among students over a beer
on the terrace.
Some of the services at the Union include food locations such as der Rathskeller and Lakefront on Langdon. In addition the Daily Scoop sells the UW made Babcock Ice cream. Peet's Coffee Shop is a privately managed operation that opened in 2009 serving coffee and pastries. The Essentials desk acts as information as well as a small retail shop. There you can buy bus tickets, Euro rail passes, newspapers, apparel, and snacks. There is also a catering department which serves conferences, events for the university, and weddings of members of the Union, and the annual Tudor Dinners.
Lake Mendota
Lake Mendota is the northernmost and largest of the four lakes near Madison, Wisconsin. The lake borders Madison on the north, east and south, Middleton on the west, Shorewood Hills on the southwest, Maple Bluff on the northeast, and Westport on the northwest....
on the campus
Campus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
of the University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
in Madison, Wisconsin
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. Between the building and the lake is the Terrace, a highly-popular outdoor space.
The exterior was designed by University Architect Arthur Peabody
Arthur Peabody
Arthur Peabody was campus architect for the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 1905 to 1915. He became state architect of Wisconsin in 1915...
. It opened in 1928, and is run by the Wisconsin Union
Wisconsin Union
The Wisconsin Union is a membership organization at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It operates the Memorial Union, Union South, the Morgridge Center for Public Service, the Hoofer Equestrian Center, Bernie's Place Child Care Center, and a number of food outlets on campus in order to "to...
, a membership organization. Porter Butts, the first director, called it a "college union" because it combines the characteristics of a 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...
("student activity center" in other countries) and a student government
Students' union
A students' union, student government, student senate, students' association, guild of students or government of student body is a student organization present in many colleges and universities, and has started appearing in some high schools...
("students' union" in other countries) in an organization that brings together students, faculty, and members of the surrounding community. It has gained a reputation as one of the most beautiful student centers on a university campus.
Outside the main building is the Memorial Union Terrace, a stone outdoor dining and recreation
Recreation
Recreation is an activity of leisure, leisure being discretionary time. The "need to do something for recreation" is an essential element of human biology and psychology. Recreational activities are often done for enjoyment, amusement, or pleasure and are considered to be "fun"...
area on the shore of Lake Mendota
Lake Mendota
Lake Mendota is the northernmost and largest of the four lakes near Madison, Wisconsin. The lake borders Madison on the north, east and south, Middleton on the west, Shorewood Hills on the southwest, Maple Bluff on the northeast, and Westport on the northwest....
. The Terrace was designed by Peabody's daughter, Charlotte. It is a popular spot for socializing among students and locals with the backdrop of the beautiful lake, sailboats in view, and with the sound of live music, usually free to the public (paid by student fees), in the evening.
The Union is also known for der Rathskeller
Rathskeller
Ratskeller is a name in German-speaking countries for a bar or restaurant located in the basement of a city hall or nearby...
, a German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
-style beerhall in the Union that directly connects to the Terrace outside. Political debates and card or board games are common among students over a beer
Beer
Beer is the world's most widely consumed andprobably oldest alcoholic beverage; it is the third most popular drink overall, after water and tea. It is produced by the brewing and fermentation of sugars, mainly derived from malted cereal grains, most commonly malted barley and malted wheat...
on the terrace.
Some of the services at the Union include food locations such as der Rathskeller and Lakefront on Langdon. In addition the Daily Scoop sells the UW made Babcock Ice cream. Peet's Coffee Shop is a privately managed operation that opened in 2009 serving coffee and pastries. The Essentials desk acts as information as well as a small retail shop. There you can buy bus tickets, Euro rail passes, newspapers, apparel, and snacks. There is also a catering department which serves conferences, events for the university, and weddings of members of the Union, and the annual Tudor Dinners.
External links
- Wisconsin Union website
- The Wisconsin Union—The First 75 Years (1904-79), interviews with Wisconsin Union Director Porter F. Butts