Hilltopper Heritage

Building History - Van Meter Hall

Namesake - The original Vanmeter Hall was named for Captain Charles J. Vanmeter. He was one of the oldest native citizens of Bowling Green. At the former Normal School, the old Vanmeter Hall was made possible by his generosity.

The existing Van Meter Hall was named after Vanmeter Hall which was part of the Southern Normal School & Business College in order to show the continuity of the Southern Normal School in the newly established Western Kentucky State Normal School.

History - The original Vanmeter Hall was constructed after fire destroyed the main building of the Southern Normal School & Business College on November 16, 1900. It was a castle-like structure and was completed in 1901 using the remains of the burned building.

The existing Van Meter Hall was dedicated on Friday, May 5, 1911. The building had an auditorium with a seating capacity of 2,000 and had classrooms and administration offices.

Additions - 1954 - $25,000 new seats, lighting, new curtains

1957 - addition of a room to be used by the businesses offices

1967 - auditorium was remodeled, larger stage, air condition added to offices

See also - Van Meter Ghost

Sources for Vanmeter Hall 1901-1906:

Southern Educator, Volume 5, No. 3, pp. 4 and 16, 1901

Sources for Van Meter Hall 1911-present:

Teachers College Heights, Vol. 8, No. 2, p. 1; Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 1-2 & 5;
Vol. 11, No. 1, p. 1;
Vol. 15, No. 2, p. 42;
Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 4, 24 & 35; No. 6, p. 24
Vol. 17, No. 1, p. 13; No. 4, pp. 3 & 25; No. 6, p. 5

Vertical File - available in Harrison-Baird Reading Room.

Researched and written by Jenna Hawkins, 2008