Repository: UIHistories Project: Dedication - Illini Union (1941) [PAGE 11]

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Mtt> i;)i4 win stand as well Por other illustrious names and for the ivat deeds that Hud place in the perennial freshness of ruteful appreciation. The structure and its contents is to be of a >neral irial character Por all time and Cor nil worths interests.

OLD A K T G \ i . i r.K'V

Those of the older days well remember the Art Collection exhibited on the fifth floor o\' the "New Building" (University Ball). It was

for many years the show place of the University, and visitors were always taken to it. Very often even those from far distance inquired for it,

because its fame was widespread. And the influence it exerted in regard to vulture and taste was certainly considerable. There are those of the

student body ol' the 70s and SOs who now assert their whole lives bav< been different from what they would otherwise have been on account of this art collection. It owed its existence to Doctor Gregory's personal efforts. He started the original movement, made personal contributions for it. received subscriptions from others after Ins presentations, devoted to it the proceeds of lectures and entertainments, and with the money thus secured—about $4,000—went to Paris at his own expense and purchased the very excellent collection of easts of famous sculptural pieces, the large number of engravings and other instructive art objects. He asked of the Trustees a little money for fitting the room and installing the objects: otherwise the expenses wore provided as has been told. When the room was urgently demanded for other purposes the pi- s were distributed widely in University rooms, and because they are now so disseminated they make no impression. So true is this last that it is commonly supposed they are mostly lost. This is not true. They can be lar ly gathered again and will make a good beginning for a new collection.

LOOKING \KI> Till-; FUTURE

It is unwise to try to predicl at this time what the building details ill be or what will be the prominent features of the exhibit to be 1 therein. A pretty good answer to such an inquiry is to b und in the outcome of a very similar project now well on in evelopmenl on the campus of the University of Michigan an Alumni Hall, dedicated .May 11. 1910. It cost $206,000 o\' which there I by an alumni committee the sum of $156,000, and that o( >r ^ ' • contributed by the Board of Regents with the understanding • that the building should to some extent house distiucti\el\ University

Tin Alumni A880 lalion has hea.hpiarters in the building and

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ling room open to all also has a place here, A large si; d ib room in the I men! is found to be ven useful. A < lure | or tl department of Art and Design is also provided, and \\ tin I pture Oallerj in al pr< ent used \^v publie assemblies, Oil the budding i For arl exhibition w\A the i lleetioi

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