Old Chapel (Amherst, Massachusetts)
Encyclopedia
Old Chapel, formerly known as the Old Chapel Library, is a landmark on the campus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst
. Constructed in 1884 at a cost of $25,000 to serve as a library, museum, and assembly hall, the Richardson Romanesque style building, constructed by Stephen C. Earle
, has over the years been home to numerous academic departments and, most recently, the UMass Marching Band
. The Chapel's original bell, "Old Aggie," was added in 1892, since replaced by 44 Carillon
bells. Although the tower underwent a $1.65 million renovation in 1999, the Old Chapel has been uninhabited since 1996; a movement among alumni exists to further renovate the interior of the building, allowing the Old Chapel to again be used as a center for campus life.
John F. Kennedy
spoke at the Chapel during his 1952 U.S. Senate campaign
.
University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
. Constructed in 1884 at a cost of $25,000 to serve as a library, museum, and assembly hall, the Richardson Romanesque style building, constructed by Stephen C. Earle
Stephen C. Earle
Stephen Carpenter Earle was an architect who designed a number buildings in Massachusetts and Connecticut that were built in the late 19th century, with many in Worcester, Massachusetts. For a time he worked with architect James E. Fuller, under the firm "Earle & Fuller", and later with Clellan W...
, has over the years been home to numerous academic departments and, most recently, the UMass Marching Band
University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band
The University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band is the marching band for the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The band currently has about 352 members and was directed by George N. Parks from 1977 until his sudden death in September 2010. Assistant Thomas Hannum was named interim...
. The Chapel's original bell, "Old Aggie," was added in 1892, since replaced by 44 Carillon
Carillon
A carillon is a musical instrument that is typically housed in a free-standing bell tower, or the belfry of a church or other municipal building. The instrument consists of at least 23 cast bronze, cup-shaped bells, which are played serially to play a melody, or sounded together to play a chord...
bells. Although the tower underwent a $1.65 million renovation in 1999, the Old Chapel has been uninhabited since 1996; a movement among alumni exists to further renovate the interior of the building, allowing the Old Chapel to again be used as a center for campus life.
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
spoke at the Chapel during his 1952 U.S. Senate campaign
United States Senate election in Massachusetts, 1952
The United States Senate election of 1952 in Massachusetts was held on November 4, 1952. This election marked the end of the Lodge family dynasty and the beginning of the Kennedy family dynasty.-The campaign:...
.