UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
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Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - 30 Year Master Plan (Tilton & O'Donnell) [PAGE 176]

Caption: Book - 30 Year Master Plan (Tilton & O'Donnell)
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Adornment of the Grounds

167

will be found adequate, in majestic scale, and in harmony with the serenity of an institution of learning.

Of the several campus areas for which Mr. Vitale prepared a special Planting Plan, one is of particular interest because of a proposed architectural development under consideration at the same time as that in which Mr. Vitale was making his studies* This was the Women's Athletic Area for which a Women's Gymnasium had been proposed. As in most instances concerning a new University building, this proposal was a culmination of a long series of interesting events. In March, 1889, the women of the University petitioned the Board of Trustees asking for a Women's Gymnasium. The matter was referred to a Committee to decide whether it was advisable to allow women students to take calisthenics. The Committee reported at the June meeting of the Board, but their reaction seems to have been unfavorable, for the petition was rejected. It was not until November, 1892, that an appropriation was made for this purpose. This resulted in the purchase of the necessary equipment and the establishment of a tempoirary Women's Gymnasium on the top floor of the old Natural History Building. On April 1, 1904, work was begun on the Woman's Building, in which more adequate and permanent quarters were provided for a women's gymnasium. For a number of years the open areas in the vicinity of the Woman's Building served as an outdoor athletic field for women students, but, as this space was gradually taken up by new buildings, and especially because of an increasing enrollment of women students, the area left for athletics soon became inadequate. This resulted in the proposal to create a Women's Athletic Area on the Campus in the vicinity of the Woman's Residence Hall and to the west of the Forestry. On April 22, 1914, the Trustees approved this site, and since that time it has been gradually improved and equipped for this purpose.