The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Old Main

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Institution Name: Concordia College (MN)
Original/Historic Place Name: New Main
Location on Campus:
Date(s) of Construction:

1906	original construction

Designer: unknown
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Beaux-Arts classicism (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, education, history
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: granite

Walls: brick

Roof: asphalt shingles

Function:

1906-1945	administration
1906-1945	auditorium
1906-1945	classrooms
1906-1945	library
1906-1945	academic department building (housed almost all the college programs until after 1945, including laboratories)
1906-present (2006)	old main
1974-present (2006)	academic department building (business, accounting and economics; education; history; political science; sociology and social work)
1974-present (2006)	classrooms

Narrative:
The building housed almost all the college programs until after 1945. Originally it contained classrooms, laboratories, a library, gymnasium, auditorium, and administrative offices. In 1974 it was remodeled as a classroom building and houses the departments of business, accounting and economics, education, history, political science, sociology, and social work.

Old Main is perhaps the best example of Classical Revival architecture in the Moorhead area. Old Main is the most significant building associated with Concordia College, a Lutheran school started in 1891. At that time the Northwestern College Association purchased the campus, which had operated from 1882-1887 as Bishop Whipple School, an Episcopal school.

References:

Englehardt, Carroll. On Firm Foundation Grounded: The First Century of Concordia College (1891-1991). Moorhead, MN: Concordia College, 1991.

Gebhard, David, and Tom Martinson. A Guide to the Architecture of Minnesota. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1977.

Harvey, Tom. Main Building, Concordia College [MN]. Inventory report. St. Paul, MN: State Historic Preservation Office, Minnesota Historical Society, 1979.