Pearsons Hall of Science

The Pearsons Hall of Science was built in 1892 on the campus of Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 because it was designed by the firm of Daniel Burnham and because it marks an expansion of the science curriculum at the college.[1]

For the science hall at Miami University, see Pearson Hall (Miami University).
Pearsons Hall of Science
Pearsons Hall of Science
LocationBeloit, Wisconsin
Coordinates42.50364°N 89.03173°W / 42.50364; -89.03173
Built1892-1893
ArchitectDaniel Burnham/John Wellborn Root/Edward Ware
Architectural styleRomanesque Revival
NRHP reference No.80000190
Added to NRHPJune 30, 1980

History

The hall was built using funds donated by and named after Dr. D. K. Pearsons,[2] a Quaker man from Pawnee, Illinois. Pearsons had once passed through Beloit on the way to Janesville, Wisconsin and saw the college being built. He was so affected by the sight that it inspired him to donate $100,000 to the school nearly forty years later. The hall was used as the school's science center until 1963.

Currently, the hall houses meeting rooms, dining facilities, student lounges, student service offices, a mailroom, a radio station, student government and publication offices. It was officially renamed the Jeffris-Wood Campus Center, named after attorney and business man Pierpont J. E. Wood and his wife, Helen Jeffris Wood.[3] On campus, it is still generally referred to as Pearsons Hall.

Renovations

Renovations to wiring, plumbing, flooring, ventilation, and equipment occurred in 1931.[3] This renovation also saw the addition of a skylight. A second renovation in 1985 by architect Edward Ware was completed and the building was rededicated as the Jeffris-Wood Campus Center. The bookstore was moved from Smith building to Jeffris-Wood Campus Center after this renovation.[4]

References
  1. "Pearsons Hall of Science". Wisconsin Historical Society. January 2012. Retrieved 2021-06-29.
  2. Professor Robert H. Irrmann; Nancy Belle Douglas (1979-12-10). NRHP Nomination: Pearsons Hall of Science. U.S. Dept. of Interior. Retrieved 2021-06-29. With two photos.
  3. "Archives: Pearsons Hall / Jeffris-Wood Campus Center | Beloit College". www.beloit.edu. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
  4. "Fridays with Fred: Student entrepreneurs found original bookstore". the Terrarium. Retrieved 2017-02-15.
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