Preview
Creation Date
1936
Description
Date Built - 1937
Dedicated - Nov. 16, 1937
Cost of Construction - $609,000
Gross Square Feet - 97,666 (1969)
Architects - Brinton Davis, Louisville
Namesake - Henry Hardin Cherry, 1864-1937
The original Cherry Hall was a building owned by Tom Williams. It was leased at $25 per month for a period of 3 years to serve as a dormitory. A dining room was added in 1908 at a cost of $1500 partially paid for by the residents through rent.
The current Cherry Hall was built on the site of Recitation Hall which was originally Potter College, an all women's college in the late 1800's, The building was dedicated on Founders Day, Nov. 16, 1937. Cherry died August 1 before the dedication. The three story building has a "temple front and columns of the Ionic order" [Historic Architecture at Western Kentucky University]. It has two wings that extend at the back of the building. When it was first built, the building was used for all academic classes, chemistry and physics department laboratories, and the college bookstore, post office and various other offices.
Additions
1957 - Chimes were installed in the tower at Cherry Hall. The 25 chimes "could be played manually in room 301 of Cherry Hall. Their tones were picked up by microphone and transferred to speakers in the towers. [Cherry Hall Chimes] They sounded on the half and quarter-hours. On the hour the Westminster chime sounds.
1960 - exits remodeled
1965 - new lighting
1973 - new rear entrance, elevator and electronic carillon chimes installed
Western Alumnus:
Electronic Carillon to be Installed, Fall, 1974
Renovation Approved by Regents, Summer 1973
Renovation is Underway, Fall 1974
Park City Daily News:
1937 - November 14, November 28
Construction Articles
1935- October 11 p. 1
1936 - Jan. 10 p. 1; Feb. 7 p. 1; March 20 p. 4; Oct. 16 p. 1; Oct. 27 p. 1; Dec. 11 p. 1
1937 - February 5 p. 1; April 2 p. 1; May 28 p. 2
Renovation Articles
1972- March 31 p. 11; March 27 p. 16; September 21 p. 7
1974 - January 11 p. 7; April 30 p. 9; June 27 p. 2; August 30 p. 2B; September 27 p. 7
1985 - September 17 p. 10
1987- April 16 p. 2
1994 - January 27 p. 2
1996 - February 27 p. 8; October 8 p. 8
2000 - August 22 p. 13; August 29 p. 4
Dillingham, Jed. Renovation Bids to Begin, Mar. 27, 1973
Keywords
Western Kentucky University