University of Kentucky, White Hall, Lexington

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS KY,34-LEX,13C-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

This nineteenth century building in an eclectic style based on the early Italian Renaissance is one of the three original structures of the University of. Kentucky. PART I HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History Original and subsequent owners: Erected by munificence of Fayette County and the City of Lexington and formally turned over to the Commonwealth of Kentucky February 13, present- ly owned by the University of Kentucky and the Commonwealth of Kentucky and to be demolished in Lexington Press February 12, Louisville Courier Journal February IS, The University of Kentucky Origins and Early Years by John F. Hopkins, Copyright, by the University of Kentucky Press. Date of erection: Cornerstone October 28, One of three buildings (College Building, Dormitory,

White Hall

Page 2 HABS No. Maxwell Place) constructed at the same time. The buildings were completed February Source: The University of Kentucky Origins and Early Years. As taken from: The Lexington Daily Press October 23, 27, 29, The Louisville Courier Journal February 16, 3. Architect: June 8, the Board of Trustees of the Agri- cultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky headed by Judge W. B. Kinkead approved a.contract with H. P. McDonald to make plans and estimates for construction of one dormitory and one college building. Fee 4% of The University of Kentucky Origins and Early Years H. P. McDonald and Brothers, Southwest Corner 4th and Market Street, Louisville, Kentucky / Patterson letters at University of Kentucky Library. Contracted by: F.

Bush and Son Contractor for carpenters work -'Vine and Lower Street Lexington, Kentucky Materials and carpentry work for Dormitory. Patterson Papers, July A. G. Brawner Frankfort, Kentucky Contractor for all brickwork Brick made at site. Patterson Papers, July University of Kentucky Origins and Early Years. Martin McLoughlin furnished stone and excavation. Patterson Papers, July 4. Original plans were destroyed when the University of Kentucky Service Building burned February 17, General Floor Plan at 1/8 scale in Archives. 5. Notes on alterations and additions Remodeled to serve as classroom building instead of men's dormitory. Between and a greenhouse was added WHITE HALL Page 3 HABS No. to the east end.

Source: White Hall Directory University Guide Important old views many photographs at University and educational archives, University of Kentucky/ Lexington, Kentucky. Prepared by: David Arnold Architectural Student under the direction of: Dr. James P. Noffsinger Associate Professor of Architecture The University of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky January, PART II ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement Architectural Characteristics: Generally, the building is symmetrical and isolated, the major material being red brick. The massing consists of three main blocks separated by two entry and circulation elements. These two elements are shallower in plan creating two major plastic depressions in the facade.

The two end elements are three stories high with classical pediments, painted white, and gabled roofs, whose ridges run north-south. The middle element is four stories high with a pediment and the same roof conditions. The dividing roofs are gabled also, with ridges running east-west. In elevation, the different levels of the building are expressed by horizontal metal trim, painted white, running continuously around the building, and the first level is raised slightly on a stone foundation. Openings are placed symmetrically in the two separating elements of the south side WHITE HALL Page 4 HABS No. of the ground level. Two doors are placed between two sidelights with stoops at each entry.

On the south and' north side, the middle major element contains five symmetrically placed windows on each of the four levels. On the ground levels, there are shallow arched recesses around each window, creating a blind arcade. The two end major elements on the south and north are treated in the same manner with the exception that there are only three levels and only three window openings. The end elevations have five arched recesses with only the middle three being occupied by windows. On the north side, there is a fire escape four stories high and an areaway down to a cellar- 2. Condition of fabric: Generally bad throughout; deteriorating brickwork? peeling paint on trim. B. Technical Description 1.

Foundation: Limestone exposed approximately two feet, capped by a cut stone sill making visual -" base about two feet, six inches on south (principal) facade, and about four feet on north side, since the grade level slopes from front to rear. 2. Wall construction: Brick bearing wall construction with pilaster strips from the second floor and above. Standard American running bond with * mortar joints and a bonding course at every fifth course on the walls of the first floor (without pilasters) and otherwise, every sixth course. Pilasters have corbled capitals and bases with bricks missing from some capitals. Pilasters join interior corners - formed by juncture of entry stairwell units with principal elements of facade. 3. Chimneys: None. 4. Openings WHITE HALL Page 5 HABS No.

a) Doorways and doors: Major doorways occur at connecting elements of facades with rectilinear openings, double modern doors and frames of wood, painted white, with lights in doors as well as at sides and transom. These two doorways appear to be adjustments to original openings, which, from appearance of brickwork, seem to have been arched, in relation to other openings. A steel lintel is now in evidence above these doorways, with brick infill replacing arch. Nearly horizontal downspout runs occur in front of arch. At both sides of the entrances/ on the projecting facades, the present window openings appear to have been auxilliary doorways, clearly evidenced in the well-worn sill areas of the foundation cap at these points.

Other door openings include basement access on the north facade at the west end, and wood emergency exits to an exterior fire escape on the four floors of the center north facade. b) Windows and shutters: Wood frame, double-hung windows with upper sash arched semi-circularly, fitting arched brick openings set into arched recesses. No shutters. 5. Roof a) Shape: Gabled, running perpendicular to north and south facades from three principal parts of facade, intersecting entrance-circulation gables, which run east to west. Center portion, forming fourth floor, runs continuously from north to south. Standing seam metal roofing, painted red. b) Framing: Unexposed.

c) Cornice, eaves: Peeling, white painted wood cornice, with soffit supported by brackets, some of which are missing, allowing rotting boards to hang askew. Fascia strip embellished with wood dentils. WHITE HALL Page 6 HABS No. d) Dormers: None. C. Technical Description of Interiors 1. Floor plans: Two entry areas dividing classroom and office blocks. Corridor runs through middle element connecting the two. Some modern office partitions. Cellar under middle element. Middle element has additional fourth floor. Rest and janitor rooms off entries. 2. Stairways: Open wells for four flights. Complete units with metal steps and handrail; bolted to well wall; U-plan; one exterior wall with windows. 3.

Flooring: Wood joist floor construction possibly on metal beams, and columns, and brick bearing wall covered with linoleum. 4. Wall and ceiling: Plaster, wood chairrail in some places; could be modern. 5. Doorways: Wooden, mostly modern; wooden framing, varnished grain exposed. 6. Trim: Ordinary baseboard. 7. Hardware: Insignificant; modern. 8. Lighting: Modern. D. Site 1. General Setting and Orientation: Parking lot next to north face or rear of building; on northwest, Barker Hall and Armory; front faces open green campus; space bounded on east by Carnegie Hall and greenhouse; southeast by Miller Hall; south by statue; southwest by Administration Annex; west by Administration Building. 2. Enclosures: None. WHITE HALL Page 7 HABS No. KY-I56 3. Outbuildings: Greenhouse "built onto east end.

4. Walks: Two stoops on south, abuting one of the campus walkways. 5. Landscaping: None. Prepared by: Edward Burrows, Jr. Architectural Student under the direction of: Dr. James P. Noffsinger Associate Professor of Architecture The University of Kentucky- Lexington , Kentucky January, Edited for transmittal to the Library of Congress by: Eleni Silverman, Architectural Historian, HABS June