The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Clifford Memorial Library

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Clifford Memorial Library (front facade), University of Evansville

Clifford Memorial Library (detail of entrance), University of Evansville

Clifford Memorial Library (detail of entrance oriel), University of Evansville

Institution Name: University of Evansville
Original/Historic Place Name: Clifford Memorial Library
Location on Campus: South Oval
Date(s) of Construction:

1955-1957

original construction McGuire, Shook & Associates

Designer: McGuire, Shook & Associates
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Gothic revival, Modern/post-WWII, Other (Glossary)
Significance: architecture
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: Indiana limestone

Walls: Indiana limestone

Roof: flat

Function:

ca. 1957-present (2006)	library
ca. 2004-present (2006)	classrooms
ca. 2004-present (2006)	other (technology offices)

Narrative:
A Lily Endowment was awarded as a challenge gift of $200,000 if the school could raise $450,000. The money was raised and groundbreaking took place in November of 1955. The library was named in memory of Mr. and Mrs. George Clifford, the first person to suggest moving Moores Hill College to Evansville. A time capsule was placed in the cornerstone and is scheduled to be opened in 2206. During construction, an oversight was realized and not enough steel reinforcement was used to hold the intended weight. Hence the floors were poured twice. The style reflects the Collegiate Gothic but with a flat roof.

References:

Klinger, George. We Face the Future Unafraid: A Narrative History of the University of Evansville. Evansville, IN: University of Evansville Press, 2003.

Olmsted, Ralph. From Institute to University. Evansville, IN: University of Evansville, 1983.