Old Main
Old Main is likely the most recognizable building in the Valley. It was the first major building on campus, dating back to 1863, and the southern edge of campus and downtown is aligned to it's lawn. The non-cardinal alignment may well be the reason for the odd directions in the area.
Old Main serves as the home for all administration including the office of the president, and is often used as an epithet or euphemism for the administration itself, particularly when the actions taken are seen as being opposed to or not taking into consideration the will or rights of the student body.
The second floor level of the lobby has large murals that present the history of the Penn State. Totalling over 1300 square feet, they were painted throughout the 1940s by artist Henry Varnum Poor with his daughter Anne serving as an assistant. Starting in September 1939, with painting starting in April 1940, the initial work was completed on June 18th, 1940 and detailed the Penn State Land Grant. Due to the critical acclaim the work received, the senior, junior and sophomore classes of 1941 decided to rehire Poor to add to the mural. World War II stalled the effort, and it wasn't until November 1948 that work resumed. Finally in June 1949, the new additions with the themes of academia, student activity and service to Pennsylvania were completed. All were done in the fresco manner, with the paint on the wet plaster insuring that they will stand as works of art for centuries to come.
There are two sets of bells from two different sources. The class of 1904 donated the visible single bell that hangs in the tower. The bells that chime the time are "westminster chimes" that were donated by the class of 1937. The bells can play various other tunes as well, including the school fight song.
History and Construction
The original building was designed by Hugh McAllister and was designed to house the entire school. The "Main Building", as it was called then, contained classrooms, laboratories, offices, a chapel, and residential space for 400 students. Construction took place over six years, with limestone quarried from where the Old Main lawn is now. One of the workers has a rather odd legacy: "Old Coaly" was a mule who helped carry the stone to the constuction site, and whose preserved bones are now on display in the HUB.
During the 1920s, the building was found to be unsafe. An emergency fund was started and supplimented by state appropriations. In 1929 and 1930, at a cost of $837,000, the original building was completely torn down and rebuilt using much of the same materials and using the same area. The new building was renamed "Old Main".
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