Hilltopper Heritage

Building History - Kentucky Building

Namesake - The Commonwealth of Kentucky

History - The Kentucky Building was originally designed as a 40,000 square feet Georgian-Revival style structure. It included reception areas, classrooms, museum galleries and library reading rooms. Construction of the building began in 1931 but because of lack of funds due to the Great Depression, only the exterior was completed. The half finished building provided classroom space. President Cherry died in 1937, two years after launching a second fundraising campaign to have the building finished. President Paul Garrett, Cherry’s successor, hired James M. Ingram to complete the interior of the building. The Kentucky Building officially opened in the fall of 1939. The building was dedicated on November 16, 1939, Dr. Cherry’s birthday.

The people of Kentucky were asked to donate money to for construction of the building as well as artifacts for the museum. “The invitation is extended to every citizen of Kentucky to make a special effort this spring, during the annual spring cleaning, to gather up old Kentucky newspapers, magazines, letters, diaries, manuscripts, and any book printed in Kentucky, about Kentucky, or written by a Kentuckian.” [“KY. Bldg. is to be Made Real Museum,” Oct. 24, 1935]

The Kentucky Building houses the Kentucky Museum, Kentucky Library, Manuscripts and Folklife Archives, and University Archives. “The museum has displays of early textiles and costumes; china, glassware, and silver, jewelry and fans; early musical instruments; Civil War relics; dolls and doll furniture; and South Union Shaker items. Also on exhibit are the early tools, medical equipment, types of lighting, a relief man of Kentucky shown at the 1893 Chicago Columbian Exposition, and a large early still. [“Ky. Building Devoted Entirely To State and Local History,” April 5, 1969]

In 1977 the building was renovated and expanded by over 80,000 square feet. The addition houses new gallery space for the museum and a library reading room. An interior courtyard between the original building and the addition was also created. The Kentucky Building was closed for three years during the construction.

Additions - 1977 - $3 million spent on renovation and expansion

1993 - Cherry sundial dedicated

See also - Kentucky Building Ghost

Sources -

College Heights Herald - 1933 February 17, p. 1; May 26, p. 1
1934 May 11, p. 1
1935 February 21, p. 1; April 26, p .1; September 27, p. 1
1936 February 7, p. 1
1938 February 18, p. 1; October 7, p. 1
1939 January 13, p. 1; February 10, p. 1; February 24, p. 1; June 30, pp. 1 & 4; October 6, p. 1; November 3, p. 1; November 21, p. 1
1940 February 23, p. 7
1942 June 5, p. 8
1945 February 16, p. 4
1946 March 29, p. 4
1947 March 21, p. 4
1950 May 26, p. 14
1952 October 31, p. 2
1953 February 6, p. 5; February 20, p. 7; March 20, p. 5; May 8, p. 8
1954 February 19, p. 2
1959 November 6, p. 2; November 20, p. 2; December 11, p. 2
1960 March 4, p. 2
1962 February 28, p. 2
1971 October 19, p. 7
1975 September 23, p. 2; October 31, p. 11B
1976 October 12, p. 2
1977 January 18, p. 11; September 29, p. 1; October 4, p. 1; November 3, p. 1
1978 March 23, p. 5; August 24, p. 1; October 19, p. 12; November 2, p. 7A
1979 January 11, p. 13; January 16, p. 1; January 23, p. 1; February 13, p. 1; May 3, p. 9; November 1, p. 5
1984 October 2, p. 1

Vertical File - available in Harrison-Baird Reading Room

Researched and written by Jenna Hawkins, 2008