Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1962 [PAGE 572]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1961J

UNIVEHSITV OF ILLINOIS

569

of the city of Chicago and of the University to the question of preserving some tart of the buildings which comprise the Hall House group, in accordance with the vote of the Board of Trustees on February 15, 1961, that no steps be taken to remove Hull House until the Board has a chance to investigate further. The President's report and recommendations follow. In accepting the offer of the city of Chicago of the Harrison-Halsted Street site for the new University of Illinois campus in Chicago on February IS, 1961, the Board of Trustees instructed the architects to consider ways and means of suitably memorializing Hull House—its work and the great tradition it represents. Reports from the University's planning staff and Skidmore, Owmgs, and Merrill, Architects and Engineers, who have been doing the site pfenning for the new campus, indicate that it is architecturally practicable to retain the original unit of Hull House on its present location, i.e., the Hull Mansion in which Jane Addams began her work. The restored building will be suitable for small group meetings and conferences and a memorial center for Jane Addams' mementoes. Accordingly, I recommend that the Board of Trustees approve a plan offered by the architects to incorporate the original Hull House as part of the new University of Illinois campus in Chicago, It is not recommended that any of the extensions of Hull House, which now occupy almost a full city block, be preserved, because of the University's need for heavy utilization of the land area whose use is already restricted by the necessity of retaining existing utilities. To remove these utilities, which take about twelve acres of otherwise buildable land out of such use, would cost upwards of $25,000,000. In the plan offered by the architects, the original Hull House and the Jane Addams garden would be restored and incorporated into the new campus layout. Since public funds available for the development of the campus must be used entirely for the facilities programmed to meet the educational needs of the anticipated enrollments, special financing will be needed for the reconstruction, fnr continuing maintenance of the structure, and for its use in a way that will be afittingmemorial to Jane Addams, Consequently, in making this recommendation that the architects be authorized to proceed with plans to keep the original unit of Hull House and to restore the Jane Addams garden, I also request authority to seek a gift or gifts from private donors to underwrite the financial requirements for the restoration and additional funds for maintenance of _ the center. From the public interest expressed in an appropriate memorial to Miss Addams, it is believed that many people throughout the country will respond to a request tor financial aid in meeting the objective here outlined. The restored building and garden will not only be a significant landmark for the new campus and for Chicago; its identity with Jane Addams and the tradition associated with her will be a continuing inspiration for students and others who may have occasion to use or to visit the center. Following the presentation by President Henry of the foregoing statement and recommendations, the President of the Board announced that representatives of Hull House and of "Save Hull House Committee" were at the Board meeting having previously requested the opportunity of being heard and having been granted that privilege. He called on the two delegations. Mrs, Florence Scala, 1030 West Taylor Street, Chicago, representing the "Harrison-Halsted Group," Miss Jessie Binford, a Resident of Hull House, and Mr. Russell Ballard, Executive Director of Hull House, made statements asking that all of the buildings in the area from Halsted Street west to the alley be preserved. Mr. Len Bishop, Mrs. Mary Vincent, and Mr. John Vincent of Save Hull House Committee" also made statements in support of the preservation of some of the buildings, in addition to the original Hull Mansion. . The hearing of the two delegations having been concluded, on mohon of Mr. Clement, the Board recessed for luncheon.