Hilltopper Heritage

Building History - Gordon Wilson Hall

Namesake - Dr. Alexander Gordon Wilson, Sr. (1888-1970) was born in Calloway County, Kentucky. At 18, he enrolled at Clinton College in Clinton, Kentucky and after graduating he began teaching. In 1908, after being “dissatisfied with his limited training,” he came to Bowling Green and enrolled in the Western Kentucky State Normal School. In 1912, he was asked to teach a few classes in English and Latin remaining until 1959. Wilson received his A.B. in 1919 from Indiana University, his M.A. in 1924 and his Ph.D. in 1930. He was a well-known folklorist and an English professor. In 1928 he became head for the English Department and remained there for 31 years until his retirement in 1959. Also in 1959, the “Gordon Wilson English Award” was established.

History - Gordon Wilson Hall originally served as the university’s library until 1965 when Margie Helm library was opened. The building's ten columns are taken from classic Greek architecture. The outside of the three-story building is constructed of Warren County white stone. The building has housed the Department of Journalism, and the Department of Theatre and Dance. The building was dedicated on May 13, 1969.

Additions - 1967 - added air conditioning, study rooms, classrooms and offices were added as well as a new stage. The main library was turned into a large room for supervised study.

1968 - renovations

1970’s - rear steel and glass stairway was added

See also: Recitation Hall, Cedar House, Helm Library and Cravens.

Sources -

College Heights Herald - 1932 November 18, p. 1
1941 February 28, p. 1
1949 February 11, p. 1
1954 December 10 p. 7
1956 January 13, p.1
1958 July 18, p. 7
1960 February 19, p. 4
1961 April 28, p. 3
1967 October 26, p. 3
1968 April 4, p. 1; September 19, p. 6
1969 February 13, p. 1; April 17, p. 9; October 24, p. 5
1973 May 1, p. 14
1985 February 5, p. 3
1986 October 7, p. 3
1989 August 22, p. 10A; September 7, p. 11
1994 April 19, p. 12

Researched and written by Jenna Hawkins, 2008.