The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Mulvane Science Hall

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Institution Name: Baker University
Original/Historic Place Name: Joab L. Mulvane Science Hall, or New Science Hall
Location on Campus: near center of campus, facing west
Date(s) of Construction:

1924-1925

original design Thomas W. Willilamson & Company

Designer: Thomas W. Williamson & Company (Topeka, KS)
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Gothic revival, Other (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, education
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: limestone

Walls: Bedford limestone

Roof: composition, slate

Function:

1925-present (2006)

academic department building (sciences)

Narrative:
In 1858, Baker University was founded by what was then the Methodist Episcopal Church on the Santa Fe Trail in the middle of the area that was to become known as "Bleeding Kansas." The oldest four-year college in Kansas grew up side-by-side with the state of Kansas to survive the Civil War, drought, floods, tornadoes, and even grasshoppers to become one of the premier colleges in the country. Today, the University serves 3,000 students through the College of Arts and Sciences on the Baldwin City campus; the School of Professional and Graduate Studies in Overland Park, Lawrence, Lee's Summit, Topeka, and Wichita; and the School of Nursing Stormont-Vail Health Care in Topeka.

Built in 1924-1925 and named after Joab Mulvane, an early Kansas philanthropist of Topeka, Mulvane Science Hall continues to serve the University's science and math programs.

References:

Ebright, Homer Kingsley. The History of Baker University. Baldwin, KS: [Baker University], 1951.