Ask Abe Archives - Campus Buildings/Landmarks
Answer: Former UW-Madison art history professor James Watrous, ’31, MA’33, PhD’39 designed the mural on the side of Vilas Hall facing University Avenue.
The piece is titled “Freedom of Communication.” Since Vilas Hall houses the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the mural fittingly frames one of the entrances into the building.
Watrous is perhaps best remembered for his Paul Bunyan murals at Memorial Union, which he painted from 1933-36. He also designed a glass mosaic in Memorial Library and other pieces displayed inside Ingraham Hall and the Social Sciences Building.
Watrous, who died in 1999 at the age of 90, was a campus arts advocate who helped raise funds to build what is now the Chazen Museum of Art.
Eliot Jubelirer '71 asks Abe: “Several years ago when I was visiting the campus with my son to show him glories of attending the university, we visited the lower floor of the Memorial Union. I recalled that there were bowling alleys in the lower level, but all we found on our trip were some pool tables and no sign of bowling. Did I imagine the alleys or were they once there and are now gone (I have seen the new alleys in the new Union South). Thanks, Abe.
Answer: It’s not your imagination. Those who visited or attended UW-Madison in the 1950s, may notice something missing when stopping by Memorial Union today: a bowling alley. In 1939, eight bowling lanes were included in the Union Theater addition to the building, and students could be found working as pin spotters in the southwest corner of the lower level of the theater.
The small bowling alley started using automatic pin spotters instead of students during the late ‘50s. As a result, the number of lanes was reduced from eight to six because the new technology required more space. However, six lanes proved insufficient for the UW-Madison bowling league, and the space closed in 1970.
When Union South opened the same year, it included eight new bowling lanes. Today, you can still bowl at the newly renovated Union South. The UW-Madison bowling team also uses the space every Monday night at 9:00 p.m.
Answer: It’s not your imagination. Those who visited or attended UW-Madison in the 1950s, may notice something missing when stopping by Memorial Union today: a bowling alley. In 1939, eight bowling lanes were included in the Union Theater addition to the building, and students could be found working as pin spotters in the southwest corner of the lower level of the theater.
The small bowling alley started using automatic pin spotters instead of students during the late ‘50s. As a result, the number of lanes was reduced from eight to six because the new technology required more space. However, six lanes proved insufficient for the UW-Madison bowling league, and the space closed in 1970.
When Union South opened the same year, it included eight new bowling lanes. Today, you can still bowl at the newly renovated Union South. The UW-Madison bowling team also uses the space every Monday night at 9:00 p.m.
Sally Ann Laurent-Muehleisen ‘88 asks Abe: When were the astronomy domes on the top of Sterling Hall built?
Answer: In 1959. Jim Lattis MA’87, PhD’89, director of the UW Space Place, tells me that’s when the Astronomy Department relocated its offices and operations from Washburn Observatory, which had officially opened in 1881, into the newly completed east wing of Sterling Hall.
The upper floor of the Sterling Hall addition — the sixth floor, to be precise —had been designed specifically for the Astronomy Department. The largest dome on the roof level houses the department’s planetarium, and other enclosures hold three permanently mounted telescopes intended primarily for instructional uses.
Different instruments have been mounted there over the years. One of them, still in use today, is a famous antique telescope that predates even Washburn Observatory's historic 15.6-inch refractor. That telescope had once been part of the long-gone Student Observatory that sat next to Washburn Observatory, until about 1960, up on Observatory Hill.
Lattis notes that Sterling Hall’s east wing was recently renovated, and the Astronomy Department now occupies all floors of the east wing. The telescope mountings and domes are still there, as is the planetarium, which is now accessible by elevator.
Answer: In 1959. Jim Lattis MA’87, PhD’89, director of the UW Space Place, tells me that’s when the Astronomy Department relocated its offices and operations from Washburn Observatory, which had officially opened in 1881, into the newly completed east wing of Sterling Hall.
The upper floor of the Sterling Hall addition — the sixth floor, to be precise —had been designed specifically for the Astronomy Department. The largest dome on the roof level houses the department’s planetarium, and other enclosures hold three permanently mounted telescopes intended primarily for instructional uses.
Different instruments have been mounted there over the years. One of them, still in use today, is a famous antique telescope that predates even Washburn Observatory's historic 15.6-inch refractor. That telescope had once been part of the long-gone Student Observatory that sat next to Washburn Observatory, until about 1960, up on Observatory Hill.
Lattis notes that Sterling Hall’s east wing was recently renovated, and the Astronomy Department now occupies all floors of the east wing. The telescope mountings and domes are still there, as is the planetarium, which is now accessible by elevator.
Larry Jahn '63 asks Abe: I stayed in High House from 1959-63, always passing through the iron gate that made Tripp Hall look like a fortress. When was the gate installed and why -- to keep out marauding Gophers from Minnesota? Thanks.
According to a university report, the gates did not prevent dormitory residents from an inaugurating their new quarters with a ruckus: "On the first night in the new dorms a group from Adams Hall with saxophones, clarinets, and other noisemakers woke everyone within earshot until a group in Tripp Hall counter attacked with fire hoses. The following day the groups met to discuss house rules and quiet hours."
But a 1927 issue of the Triad, the dorm newsletter, notes that the gates may have indeed been a first line of defense: "[P]roposed new entrances to the quadrangles on the side toward the lake will not be constructed, largely due to the fact that one entrance to each quad lessens the danger of having strangers and sneak thieves enter the halls."
Ronald McDowell (aka W. B. Oz) ‘72 asks Abe: When I was an engineering student in the late 60s, I was curious about the tunnel that ran from the corner of Randall and Campus Drive underneath University Avenue and came out somewhere on the UW Med School grounds. The only explanation I ever heard was that it “was built during the Second World War to allow ‘important’ persons to travel from one part of campus to another without moving about above ground.” That explanation always seemed bogus to me. So, what was its actual purpose?
Answer: You were correct to be wary of that explanation. There’s never been any subterfuge associated with those subterranean tunnels. While they’ve been around long before the days of World War II, their purpose was (and continues to be) to move heat, not people around campus. Daniel Einstein, historic and cultural resources manager at the UW said, “There are many utility tunnels that crisscross campus. Wherever you see one of those flat-topped doghouse-like structures on campus you are standing over a tunnel.” This system of tunnels runs several miles, and supplies steam to heat most campus buildings. Built in 1898, two sets of steam tunnels encase the pipes that now carry steam from the main heat source on Charter Street to buildings. A second source is on Walnut Street, said Kevin Corcoran, shop supervisor for the physical plant. Corcoran added that the only way to enter the tunnels is with a special key. But somehow that hasn’t stopped “Tunnel Bob,” from being spotted in the tunnels from time to time, and lurking around the underbelly of campus for years. They’re not exactly a place one should go exploring, however. “In general the tunnels are quite cramped and warm. They are not intended to accommodate people/movement of supplies,” says Einstein.
Answer: You were correct to be wary of that explanation. There’s never been any subterfuge associated with those subterranean tunnels. While they’ve been around long before the days of World War II, their purpose was (and continues to be) to move heat, not people around campus. Daniel Einstein, historic and cultural resources manager at the UW said, “There are many utility tunnels that crisscross campus. Wherever you see one of those flat-topped doghouse-like structures on campus you are standing over a tunnel.” This system of tunnels runs several miles, and supplies steam to heat most campus buildings. Built in 1898, two sets of steam tunnels encase the pipes that now carry steam from the main heat source on Charter Street to buildings. A second source is on Walnut Street, said Kevin Corcoran, shop supervisor for the physical plant. Corcoran added that the only way to enter the tunnels is with a special key. But somehow that hasn’t stopped “Tunnel Bob,” from being spotted in the tunnels from time to time, and lurking around the underbelly of campus for years. They’re not exactly a place one should go exploring, however. “In general the tunnels are quite cramped and warm. They are not intended to accommodate people/movement of supplies,” says Einstein.
Carrie Sweet ’93 asks Abe: Recently, we were cleaning out my uncle's attic and found a mug that is baffling us. The mug has his name, graduating year (1962), and "University of Wisconsin" written across the top. However, it also has a sort of "coat of arms" with the words "Botkin Bulldogs." Could you let us know what the "Botkin Bulldogs" were?
Answer: Well one thing is for certain; the Botkin Bulldogs were not some rogue troupe of mascots looking to horn in on Bucky Badger’s territory. Nor were they distant cousins of the UW’s beloved mascot. Nope, the Bulldogs were a group of students who lived in Boktin House, located within the Tripp Residence Hall along the Lakeshore. Today, Tripp is an upperclassmen-only dorm made up of eight houses: Gregory, Bashford, Botkin, High, Vilas, Fallows, Frankenburger, and Spooner. Botkin House was named after Alexander Campbell Botkin, a politician from Dane County. And according to Dr. Dennis Maki ’62 MS’64 MD’67, who was the house’s social chairman, and lived in Botkin House all four years of his undergraduate career, back in the 1950s and 60s each house had a nickname … hence the Botkin Bulldogs. “The houses were built like an old British college,” said Maki. “We each had a coat of arms in our rooms, ours read ‘Bulldogs.’” Maki noted that his group went by the Bulldog name mainly when they played on intramural sports teams, and for fun during social events. He says that the Botkin Bulldogs gave him and his peers an identity in University Housing.
Answer: Well one thing is for certain; the Botkin Bulldogs were not some rogue troupe of mascots looking to horn in on Bucky Badger’s territory. Nor were they distant cousins of the UW’s beloved mascot. Nope, the Bulldogs were a group of students who lived in Boktin House, located within the Tripp Residence Hall along the Lakeshore. Today, Tripp is an upperclassmen-only dorm made up of eight houses: Gregory, Bashford, Botkin, High, Vilas, Fallows, Frankenburger, and Spooner. Botkin House was named after Alexander Campbell Botkin, a politician from Dane County. And according to Dr. Dennis Maki ’62 MS’64 MD’67, who was the house’s social chairman, and lived in Botkin House all four years of his undergraduate career, back in the 1950s and 60s each house had a nickname … hence the Botkin Bulldogs. “The houses were built like an old British college,” said Maki. “We each had a coat of arms in our rooms, ours read ‘Bulldogs.’” Maki noted that his group went by the Bulldog name mainly when they played on intramural sports teams, and for fun during social events. He says that the Botkin Bulldogs gave him and his peers an identity in University Housing.
The answer is just once — but for a long time. David Null of University Archives says that the mall “was torn up the last time [President Barack] Obama was here [in September 2010],” and it was under construction during the most recent presidential campus visit in September 2012. “It’s just been torn up constantly.” Students who arrived as freshmen in 2008 and graduated in 2012 never saw the mall when it wasn’t sporting some kind of construction equipment.
The main culprit is the utility tunnels beneath the mall, which are some of the oldest on campus and had outlived their useful life. The effort to rebuild the underground systems that provide steam heat, chilled water for cooling, telecommunications and electrical power began on Library Mall in August 2008. As the work continued into 2012, workers began to use the north portion of the mall as a staging area for the Memorial Union Reinvestment project and for a major renovation of the Wisconsin Historical Society vaults, a project that entails rebuilding the retaining walls and balustrade surrounding the building.
The good news is that the new, rebuilt utility tunnels are now large enough that any future maintenance work can be carried on underground, precluding the need to tear up the mall for utility work again.
But that doesn’t mean that the popular lunch spot and Frisbee field can bid farewell to drilling, dump trucks, and clouds of dust. While the university owns the section of the mall surrounding the Hagenah Fountain, the city of Madison owns the strip — now frequented by food carts — where State Street used to continue on to Park Street. The city turned the area into a continuation of Library Mall and built a concrete stage in 1975, and it has only undergone minor sidewalk repairs since then. But get ready — the 66-foot-wide corridor is due for a complete reconstruction in 2014 — and the university portion of the mall could see complementary changes if funding is secured.
Sheryl Hoyer ’87 asks Abe: Now that my son is a freshman and living in Sellery Hall (after I lived there almost 30 years ago), our family is wondering … has anyone compiled a list of famous people who ever lived in Sellery?
Answer: Well, the short answer is “no.” There’s never been a document created that set out to chronicle former Sellery residents who went on to fame and fortune. And at the moment there’s no easy way to do so either.
While past residence hall directories are kept on file, according to the Division of University Housing these records exist in paper copies only — making the search for former residents/current celebs very difficult. Especially when considering that everyone’s definition of “famous” is different.
So, Abe’s in the dark when it comes to knowing if notables such as actress Jane Kaczmarek ’79, track star Suzy Favor Hamilton ’91 or celebrity chef Charlie Trotter ’82 ever graced the halls of Sellery.
But you, dear readers, can help. Did you live in Sellery? Are you famous … or is your former dorm-mate living the lifestyle of the rich and famous? Abe would love to hear from you.
Even if you didn’t live in Sellery, but want to relay your brushes with (future) fame, email your stories to askabe@uwalumni.com.
UPDATE:
Jeff Schachner '70 wrote in to say that his Sellery roommate (1966-67) was none other than David Zucker '70, writer and director of such classic comedies as Airplane and The Naked Gun. Surely you can't be serious! Well, he is serious ... and we'll stop calling him Shirley (Airplane reference). "He was funny even back then coming from Shorewood," said Jeff. Thanks for sharing, Jeff.
Sellery Hall History
Sellery Hall first opened its doors to Badger students on January 1, 1963 and is named for George Sellery who joined UW-Madison in 1901 as an instructor in History. He went on to become the Dean of the College of Letters and Science from 1919 to his retirement in 1942, and was Acting President for a short period in 1937.
Sellery is scheduled to be renovated and expanded in 2018 and 2019, giving a whole new crop of students the chance to live in a notable dorm before making names for themselves in the real world.
Answer: Well, the short answer is “no.” There’s never been a document created that set out to chronicle former Sellery residents who went on to fame and fortune. And at the moment there’s no easy way to do so either.
While past residence hall directories are kept on file, according to the Division of University Housing these records exist in paper copies only — making the search for former residents/current celebs very difficult. Especially when considering that everyone’s definition of “famous” is different.
So, Abe’s in the dark when it comes to knowing if notables such as actress Jane Kaczmarek ’79, track star Suzy Favor Hamilton ’91 or celebrity chef Charlie Trotter ’82 ever graced the halls of Sellery.
But you, dear readers, can help. Did you live in Sellery? Are you famous … or is your former dorm-mate living the lifestyle of the rich and famous? Abe would love to hear from you.
Even if you didn’t live in Sellery, but want to relay your brushes with (future) fame, email your stories to askabe@uwalumni.com.
UPDATE:
Jeff Schachner '70 wrote in to say that his Sellery roommate (1966-67) was none other than David Zucker '70, writer and director of such classic comedies as Airplane and The Naked Gun. Surely you can't be serious! Well, he is serious ... and we'll stop calling him Shirley (Airplane reference). "He was funny even back then coming from Shorewood," said Jeff. Thanks for sharing, Jeff.
Sellery Hall History
Sellery Hall first opened its doors to Badger students on January 1, 1963 and is named for George Sellery who joined UW-Madison in 1901 as an instructor in History. He went on to become the Dean of the College of Letters and Science from 1919 to his retirement in 1942, and was Acting President for a short period in 1937.
Sellery is scheduled to be renovated and expanded in 2018 and 2019, giving a whole new crop of students the chance to live in a notable dorm before making names for themselves in the real world.
Eric Thomas ’98 asks Abe: “As undergrads at UW, my future wife and I both worked at Bascom Hall in the mail room. We've heard from many people that Bascom Hall has long been haunted. There were always tales of swirling winds and noises in the rotunda on the top floor from night custodians, and many people I've talked to have heard the same stories. Is it true, Abe? Is Bascom haunted?”
Answer: I’ve been keeping watch over Bascom Hall for a long time, and I’ve never seen a ghost. But then again, I haven’t really been alone up here. Atop Bascom Hill are two graves — that of Samuel Warren, who was killed by lightning in 1838, and W. Nelson, who died in 1837. They are the only two people buried on Bascom Hill, and their final resting places are marked with simple plaques. There have also been whispers of construction workers who died during the construction of Bascom Hall, but those stories haven’t been proven. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t recommend roaming through the dark hallways late at night. You never know who you might run into!
Answer: I’ve been keeping watch over Bascom Hall for a long time, and I’ve never seen a ghost. But then again, I haven’t really been alone up here. Atop Bascom Hill are two graves — that of Samuel Warren, who was killed by lightning in 1838, and W. Nelson, who died in 1837. They are the only two people buried on Bascom Hill, and their final resting places are marked with simple plaques. There have also been whispers of construction workers who died during the construction of Bascom Hall, but those stories haven’t been proven. Nonetheless, I wouldn’t recommend roaming through the dark hallways late at night. You never know who you might run into!
Miki Bix ‘72 asks Abe: “Which foot are we supposed to rub for good luck? Some friends are coming in to town and we want to visit your august presence! Thanks, Abe.”
Answer: It is always important to put your best foot forward, and mine happens to be my left! When you do visit, you won’t be wondering which foot to rub since my left foot is a little less bronze than the rest of me. People who frequent Bascom Hill rub my foot for good luck; whether it be for that looming final exam or a Badger win.
Plan extra time if you visit during Commencement Weekend; I’m one of the most popular spots on campus as eager graduates celebrate with a climb up on my lap and whisper their hopes and dreams into my ear. However, folklore has it that if you make the climb too early in your UW career, you won’t graduate. All legends and tales aside, make sure to say “Hi” when you visit, Miki. After all, I have the best view on campus.
Answer: It is always important to put your best foot forward, and mine happens to be my left! When you do visit, you won’t be wondering which foot to rub since my left foot is a little less bronze than the rest of me. People who frequent Bascom Hill rub my foot for good luck; whether it be for that looming final exam or a Badger win.
Plan extra time if you visit during Commencement Weekend; I’m one of the most popular spots on campus as eager graduates celebrate with a climb up on my lap and whisper their hopes and dreams into my ear. However, folklore has it that if you make the climb too early in your UW career, you won’t graduate. All legends and tales aside, make sure to say “Hi” when you visit, Miki. After all, I have the best view on campus.
Nate Moll x '13, visited Abe for a boost of good luck before a recent job interview.
Yale Katz ’47 asks Abe: “Where did those trailers come from? Who manufactured them?”
Answer: I assume you’re referring to the student housing trailers that made their appearance on campus during the 1940s. After World War II, enrollment tripled, and the campus was not physically prepared for the sudden demand that resulted. The university established the Campus Planning Commission to help build 12 new buildings for campus as well as temporary metal huts and trailers for veteran students. Many of the temporary buildings were government surplus from Fort McCoy and other military bases. The area surrounding Camp Randall housed more than 400 government trailers from 1947 to 1948. After four years, the trailers began to disappear to make way for new building projects. In 2004, the last temporary building — a Quonset hut used as an art foundry and studio — was removed from behind the education building.
Answer: I assume you’re referring to the student housing trailers that made their appearance on campus during the 1940s. After World War II, enrollment tripled, and the campus was not physically prepared for the sudden demand that resulted. The university established the Campus Planning Commission to help build 12 new buildings for campus as well as temporary metal huts and trailers for veteran students. Many of the temporary buildings were government surplus from Fort McCoy and other military bases. The area surrounding Camp Randall housed more than 400 government trailers from 1947 to 1948. After four years, the trailers began to disappear to make way for new building projects. In 2004, the last temporary building — a Quonset hut used as an art foundry and studio — was removed from behind the education building.
Jeanne Daniels MA'92 asks Abe: “Can you tell me who Jones House was named for?”
Answer: According to the Division of University Housing, Jones House was named after Burr W. Jones, a former district attorney for Dane County from 1872 to 1876. Jones was an integral part of the Madison community and worked as a UW Law professor for 30 years. Jones served as the chair of the Democratic Convention in 1892 and was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 1922. The Jones House was built in 1938 on the shores of Lake Mendota, and is part of Kronshage Hall.
Answer: According to the Division of University Housing, Jones House was named after Burr W. Jones, a former district attorney for Dane County from 1872 to 1876. Jones was an integral part of the Madison community and worked as a UW Law professor for 30 years. Jones served as the chair of the Democratic Convention in 1892 and was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 1922. The Jones House was built in 1938 on the shores of Lake Mendota, and is part of Kronshage Hall.
Rodney Benson '71 asks Abe: “I think I read about graves (two?) located on Bascom Hill in Ask Abe's column before, but I cannot find the article anymore. It seems to me they were near the statue, but I'm not sure. Can you tell me where they are located? Also, who is interred?
I often walk across campus and would like to see the markers. I give (amateur) tours to out-of-town guests now and then, and the gravesites would be great to include in 'the tour'.”
Answer: These two graves keep me company atop Bascom Hill. Most UW students are unaware of their presence, yet the graves are located to my left, in front of Bascom Hall. Two metal squares mark the final resting places of William Nelson and Samuel Warren. According to an Oct. 22 article in Wisconsin Week, Nelson died in 1837 of typhoid and Warren was killed by lightning while helping to construct the Capitol in 1838. Both men were part of the first permanent white settlers group to come to Madison.
I often walk across campus and would like to see the markers. I give (amateur) tours to out-of-town guests now and then, and the gravesites would be great to include in 'the tour'.”
Answer: These two graves keep me company atop Bascom Hill. Most UW students are unaware of their presence, yet the graves are located to my left, in front of Bascom Hall. Two metal squares mark the final resting places of William Nelson and Samuel Warren. According to an Oct. 22 article in Wisconsin Week, Nelson died in 1837 of typhoid and Warren was killed by lightning while helping to construct the Capitol in 1838. Both men were part of the first permanent white settlers group to come to Madison.
Steve Jacobson asks Abe: “I understand that the Master Plan deleted dorm housing for UW undergraduates and replaced it with a private housing project. I really enjoyed the time I spent in UW dorms, and I understand that the students wanted a state-funded/UW dorm. So, why was it deleted from the Master Plan? If the alumni raise enough money for the building, will the UW agree to build the dorm?”
Answer: According to Gary Brown, Director of Planning and Landscape Architecture at UW-Madison Facilities Planning and Management, the Master Plan created to improve campus has no intention of deleting dorm housing.
The previous plans included dorms in the area that is now University Square; however, changes were made and those dorms have been moved to different locations. The current draft of the Master Plan shows 700-800 new beds of student housing near the Lakeshore Dorms and construction of a new 600-bed residence hall located on the southeast corner of Dayton and Park streets. The funding for all new residence halls will come from revenue fees generated by the housing programs. Also included in the plan is the demolition of Ogg Hall in order to create a new recreation green space south of Gordon Commons.
Answer: According to Gary Brown, Director of Planning and Landscape Architecture at UW-Madison Facilities Planning and Management, the Master Plan created to improve campus has no intention of deleting dorm housing.
The previous plans included dorms in the area that is now University Square; however, changes were made and those dorms have been moved to different locations. The current draft of the Master Plan shows 700-800 new beds of student housing near the Lakeshore Dorms and construction of a new 600-bed residence hall located on the southeast corner of Dayton and Park streets. The funding for all new residence halls will come from revenue fees generated by the housing programs. Also included in the plan is the demolition of Ogg Hall in order to create a new recreation green space south of Gordon Commons.
Katie (Leedle) Ripley '02 and Brandon Ripley '03 ask Abe: “Is it true that there is a firing range located under Camp Randall?”
Answer: It is true that a firing range existed below the grand infrastructure of Camp Randall Stadium from 1917 to 2004. It was used extensively by the Army, Air Force and Navy ROTC programs for training and serious competition. It was demolished in 2004 as part of the Phase I renovation of Camp Randall.
The university considered building a new range in a different location, but the idea has been abandoned for now, due to costs and regulations.
Built in 1917, Camp Randall is the fourth-oldest, college-owned football complex in the nation. The last major renovation took place 39 years ago, when an upper deck was added in 1966.
Answer: It is true that a firing range existed below the grand infrastructure of Camp Randall Stadium from 1917 to 2004. It was used extensively by the Army, Air Force and Navy ROTC programs for training and serious competition. It was demolished in 2004 as part of the Phase I renovation of Camp Randall.
The university considered building a new range in a different location, but the idea has been abandoned for now, due to costs and regulations.
Built in 1917, Camp Randall is the fourth-oldest, college-owned football complex in the nation. The last major renovation took place 39 years ago, when an upper deck was added in 1966.
Jeffrey Kimes '00 asks Abe, “Who wrote the famous 'fearless sifting and winnowing' quote on Bascom Hall?”
Answer: The quote you are thinking of was issued in a report by the Board of Regents on Sept. 18, 1894, in response to accusations by a board member that Richard Ely, head of the UW's School of Economics, was a socialist and teaching “utopian, impractical, or pernicious doctrines.” After an investigation, Ely was declared innocent.
In the statement, the Board of Regents introduced the concept of academic freedom by stating that the university should never censor or limit its members' quest for knowledge. The following quote is now on a plaque in Bascom Hall. The class of 1910 dedicated the plaque to the UW.
“WHATEVER MAY BE THE LIMITATIONS WHICH TRAMMEL INQUIRY ELSEWHERE, WE BELIEVE THAT THE GREAT STATE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SHOULD EVER ENCOURAGE THAT CONTINUAL AND FEARLESS SIFTING AND WINNOWING BY WHICH ALONE THE TRUTH CAN BE FOUND.”
Answer: The quote you are thinking of was issued in a report by the Board of Regents on Sept. 18, 1894, in response to accusations by a board member that Richard Ely, head of the UW's School of Economics, was a socialist and teaching “utopian, impractical, or pernicious doctrines.” After an investigation, Ely was declared innocent.
In the statement, the Board of Regents introduced the concept of academic freedom by stating that the university should never censor or limit its members' quest for knowledge. The following quote is now on a plaque in Bascom Hall. The class of 1910 dedicated the plaque to the UW.
“WHATEVER MAY BE THE LIMITATIONS WHICH TRAMMEL INQUIRY ELSEWHERE, WE BELIEVE THAT THE GREAT STATE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN SHOULD EVER ENCOURAGE THAT CONTINUAL AND FEARLESS SIFTING AND WINNOWING BY WHICH ALONE THE TRUTH CAN BE FOUND.”
Ralph Karst MS'59, PhD'66, PhD'79 asks Abe: “I saw the statue of Lincoln in Washington, D.C., and it recently occurred to me to ask you whether the statue of Lincoln on the campus is the same statue as the one in Washington, only on a smaller scale? If it is, then if you look at Lincoln's profile, the profile of Robert E. Lee should be recognizable in the hair at the back of Lincoln's head. Is it?”
Answer: The Lincoln statue placed on Bascom Hill in 1909 is the only duplicate of an original, cast in 1906, by Adolph Alexander Weinman. The original was given to Hodgenville, Ken., the town of Lincoln's birth. The Abe statue on Bascom is the single replica of Weinman's Lincoln, and is not modeled after the Lincoln statue in Washington, D.C.
Answer: The Lincoln statue placed on Bascom Hill in 1909 is the only duplicate of an original, cast in 1906, by Adolph Alexander Weinman. The original was given to Hodgenville, Ken., the town of Lincoln's birth. The Abe statue on Bascom is the single replica of Weinman's Lincoln, and is not modeled after the Lincoln statue in Washington, D.C.
Peggy Wilson asks Abe: “My mother, Peg Bird '40, often spoke about the 'ski hill' on the UW campus. Is it still there? Where was it in her era? I'd like to visit.”
Answer: The ski slide your mother remembers so fondly was located on Muir Knoll overlooking Lake Mendota. It was constructed over winter break in 1919 under the leadership of a group of Norwegian students, and the sport quickly caught on. The original slide was wooden, and by 1930 it had fallen into disrepair and was condemned. But the UW wouldn't let the ski slide go without a fight. Led by Dr. H. C. Bradley '10, adviser to the UW Ski Club, and Porter Butts '24,, MA'36, director of the Memorial Union, $1,600 was raised to save the slide. By 1933, a new steel slide was built on the same site, weighing in at 55 tons and standing 56 feet high.
According to an article in the 1957 Daily Cardinal, the steel slide enjoyed heavy use in the years to follow by the Hoofers ski club, members of the 1941 Olympic team from Wisconsin and Madison-area skiing enthusiasts. But in 1955, the vice-president of the university asked the Hoofers to practice at the nearby Blackhawk ski jump so that parking space could be developed on the site. That year, there were an estimated $400 in repairs needed for the jump, and it was dismantled and moved to Madison's Hoyt Park.
Answer: The ski slide your mother remembers so fondly was located on Muir Knoll overlooking Lake Mendota. It was constructed over winter break in 1919 under the leadership of a group of Norwegian students, and the sport quickly caught on. The original slide was wooden, and by 1930 it had fallen into disrepair and was condemned. But the UW wouldn't let the ski slide go without a fight. Led by Dr. H. C. Bradley '10, adviser to the UW Ski Club, and Porter Butts '24,, MA'36, director of the Memorial Union, $1,600 was raised to save the slide. By 1933, a new steel slide was built on the same site, weighing in at 55 tons and standing 56 feet high.
According to an article in the 1957 Daily Cardinal, the steel slide enjoyed heavy use in the years to follow by the Hoofers ski club, members of the 1941 Olympic team from Wisconsin and Madison-area skiing enthusiasts. But in 1955, the vice-president of the university asked the Hoofers to practice at the nearby Blackhawk ski jump so that parking space could be developed on the site. That year, there were an estimated $400 in repairs needed for the jump, and it was dismantled and moved to Madison's Hoyt Park.
Heather Goldner '92 asks Abe: “Witte Hall (in 1988–89) used to serve 'gorp' — a mixture of M&M's, granola and other stuff — but I never saw it again after 1990. Do they still serve it now? Do you know what it consisted of?”
Answer: If you had “gorp” as a student living in Witte Hall, it was more likely at a special event, since it isn't a regular menu item served in any of the residence hall eateries. Occasionally, today's UW-Madison students may find “gorp” packaged and sold in small quantities as trail mix, but the catering version you enjoyed when you were on campus is made from the recipe below:
4 1/2 oz. Cheerios cereal
4 1/2 oz. Bulk, low-fat granola cereal
2 1/4 oz. Sunflower seeds
4 1/2 oz. Blanched peanuts
4 1/2 oz. Chocolate chips
2 1/4 oz. Raisins
4 1/2 oz. Chopped, dried dates
4 1/2 oz. M&M candies
Mix and enjoy!
Answer: If you had “gorp” as a student living in Witte Hall, it was more likely at a special event, since it isn't a regular menu item served in any of the residence hall eateries. Occasionally, today's UW-Madison students may find “gorp” packaged and sold in small quantities as trail mix, but the catering version you enjoyed when you were on campus is made from the recipe below:
4 1/2 oz. Cheerios cereal
4 1/2 oz. Bulk, low-fat granola cereal
2 1/4 oz. Sunflower seeds
4 1/2 oz. Blanched peanuts
4 1/2 oz. Chocolate chips
2 1/4 oz. Raisins
4 1/2 oz. Chopped, dried dates
4 1/2 oz. M&M candies
Mix and enjoy!
Deidre Peroff '03 asks Abe: “I have heard stories about ghosts haunting various campus buildings. Are there recurring ghost stories associated with the UW, particularly Science Hall?”
Answer: Science Hall's dramatic Gothic architecture, secret tunnels and bats in the attic lend the campus landmark an air of mystery. But the ghost stories can be traced back to the building's past, according to Richard Hendricks of the Wisconsin Paranormal Research Center.
Medical students in the Anatomy Department once performed autopsies on cadavers in Science Hall. In 1904, the north wing of the fourth floor was sectioned off into small, windowless rooms where first-year medical students worked on cadavers. According to Clarence W. Olmstead, author of Science Hall — The First Century, medical students and faculty used a “cadaver lift” to move bodies from the basement morgue to the fourth-floor dissection laboratory.
Years after the Department of Anatomy moved out of Science Hall, some of these cadavers are still at home there — sort of. In 1974, graduate students in the Geography Department found a stray embalmed human foot in the attic, left behind by the Anatomy Department when it moved out in 1956. A set of leg bones from a “tall man” have also been found in the dark corners of the attic. These incidents inspired a comic book series, “The Phantom of Bascom Hill,” and a mystery novel set in Science Hall.
Answer: Science Hall's dramatic Gothic architecture, secret tunnels and bats in the attic lend the campus landmark an air of mystery. But the ghost stories can be traced back to the building's past, according to Richard Hendricks of the Wisconsin Paranormal Research Center.
Medical students in the Anatomy Department once performed autopsies on cadavers in Science Hall. In 1904, the north wing of the fourth floor was sectioned off into small, windowless rooms where first-year medical students worked on cadavers. According to Clarence W. Olmstead, author of Science Hall — The First Century, medical students and faculty used a “cadaver lift” to move bodies from the basement morgue to the fourth-floor dissection laboratory.
Years after the Department of Anatomy moved out of Science Hall, some of these cadavers are still at home there — sort of. In 1974, graduate students in the Geography Department found a stray embalmed human foot in the attic, left behind by the Anatomy Department when it moved out in 1956. A set of leg bones from a “tall man” have also been found in the dark corners of the attic. These incidents inspired a comic book series, “The Phantom of Bascom Hill,” and a mystery novel set in Science Hall.
John Johnson PhD '60 asks Abe: “What is the condition of the site of Badger Village, where I lived from 1950 to 1954?”
Answer: Many UW alumni from the post-World War II era remember Badger Village, a student-housing site that was built in Baraboo to handle the influx of returning veterans. Badger Village was perfect for married students because it was a community with its own school, playground and post office. Students commuted to and from classes on school buses, acquired by the university to help with transportation.
Badger Village is also the controversial site of the Badger Ordinance Works, an ammunition plant built by the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1997, the army decided it no longer needed the facility, and a public debate began in Wisconsin about how to use the land. Buildings on the site have been largely abandoned for years, and many may be contaminated by the chemicals used to forge weapons there during World War II.
An article detailing the history and future of Badger Village was published in the Summer 2004 issue of On Wisconsin Magazine.
Answer: Many UW alumni from the post-World War II era remember Badger Village, a student-housing site that was built in Baraboo to handle the influx of returning veterans. Badger Village was perfect for married students because it was a community with its own school, playground and post office. Students commuted to and from classes on school buses, acquired by the university to help with transportation.
Badger Village is also the controversial site of the Badger Ordinance Works, an ammunition plant built by the U.S. Army during World War II. In 1997, the army decided it no longer needed the facility, and a public debate began in Wisconsin about how to use the land. Buildings on the site have been largely abandoned for years, and many may be contaminated by the chemicals used to forge weapons there during World War II.
An article detailing the history and future of Badger Village was published in the Summer 2004 issue of On Wisconsin Magazine.
John Weaver '72, MBA'82 asks Abe: “I recently visited the Memorial Union for the first time in many years. I always loved the murals painted during the Great Depression found in the Paul Bunyan room. However there is one panel that is obviously not the work of the same artist who painted the rest of the murals. This panel shows two lumberjacks greasing a huge griddle by skating with hams on their feet. Was this added later? Or replaced because of damage?”
Answer: You have a sharp eye for detail, John. The murals in the Wisconsin Union's Paul Bunyan room illustrate stories from the beloved Wisconsin folk legend (which, each year, the University of Minnesota tries to claim as its own — hence, the Badger football team's fight with the Golden Gophers for Paul Bunyan's Ax). The corner panel depicting lumberjacks sliding across a hot griddle on “skates” of bacon was a replacement, but it was not the work of a second artist.
According to the Wisconsin Union's Director of Cultural Arts, the Wisconsin Union's Paul Bunyan murals were commissioned in 1933 as part of the Public Works of Art Project, the first federal program supporting the visual arts. The artist was a graduate student named James Watrous '31, MA'33, PhD '39, who later became an art history professor at UW-Madison. Although the program ended just six months after its inception, Watrous worked to complete the murals during his free time until 1936.
Answer: You have a sharp eye for detail, John. The murals in the Wisconsin Union's Paul Bunyan room illustrate stories from the beloved Wisconsin folk legend (which, each year, the University of Minnesota tries to claim as its own — hence, the Badger football team's fight with the Golden Gophers for Paul Bunyan's Ax). The corner panel depicting lumberjacks sliding across a hot griddle on “skates” of bacon was a replacement, but it was not the work of a second artist.
According to the Wisconsin Union's Director of Cultural Arts, the Wisconsin Union's Paul Bunyan murals were commissioned in 1933 as part of the Public Works of Art Project, the first federal program supporting the visual arts. The artist was a graduate student named James Watrous '31, MA'33, PhD '39, who later became an art history professor at UW-Madison. Although the program ended just six months after its inception, Watrous worked to complete the murals during his free time until 1936.
During the early 1990s, the Union's Student Art Committee asked Watrous to paint a replacement for one of the panels containing phrases and images that, while acceptable during the 1930s, were not appropriate for today's campus environment. Watrous agreed to paint a new section for the Paul Bunyan mural, which stands out because it was nearly impossible to recreate the paint formula — an emulsion of egg yolk and water combined with powdered pigments. Although no longer on display, the original panel is in the Union's art storage for safekeeping.
Kathy McCloskey Loeb '66 asks Abe: “When I was a student at the UW in the early '60s, the radio lab was located in the attic of Bascom Hall — I believe on the fourth floor. Is it still there? It was so much fun lugging the huge Wollensak tape recorder up Bascom Hill and then up those many flights of stairs!”
Answer: During the 1960s, the Department of Speech (now Communication Arts) had a radio lab in Bascom Hall's attic that was used for radio production courses. According to School of Journalism professor emeritus James Hoyt '65, MS'67, PhD'70, the lab you refer to was housed in the room that features a prominent oval window, just above the pillars, at the front of Bascom Hall. The radio lab moved to Van Hise Hall in 1967, and moved again to Vilas Hall when it opened in 1973. The lab, along with the Department of Communication Arts, has been there ever since. As for the Wollensak recorder, it is no longer in use, but was standard equipment in the radio lab for years.
Answer: During the 1960s, the Department of Speech (now Communication Arts) had a radio lab in Bascom Hall's attic that was used for radio production courses. According to School of Journalism professor emeritus James Hoyt '65, MS'67, PhD'70, the lab you refer to was housed in the room that features a prominent oval window, just above the pillars, at the front of Bascom Hall. The radio lab moved to Van Hise Hall in 1967, and moved again to Vilas Hall when it opened in 1973. The lab, along with the Department of Communication Arts, has been there ever since. As for the Wollensak recorder, it is no longer in use, but was standard equipment in the radio lab for years.
Jerry Waite asks Abe, “My first year at UW-Madison was the year (1968) that the mathematics (or was it physics?) building was bombed, killing at least one student. What happened to all the perpetrators?”
Answer: Four young men, known as the New Years Gang, plotted and carried out the bombing of what was then the Army Mathematics Research Center, located in Sterling Hall. As a protest to the Vietnam War, Karl Armstrong came up with the idea and convinced his younger brother, Dwight Armstrong, along with David Fine and Leo Burt to participate in the bombing. At 3:42 a.m. on August 24, 1970, the New Years Gang exploded their prepared bomb, causing approximately six million dollars in damages. The New Years Gang did not intend on killing anyone and thought the surrounding buildings would be empty on a Sunday night. Robert Fassnacht, a physics post doc student, was working late that evening to finish an experiment. His death left the campus shaken with grief - and three children without a father.
The entire New Years Gang fled to Canada the evening of the explosion. Over the next several years, the police eventually found and arrested three of the four members; only Leo Burt has never been found. After Karl Armstrong was released from prison in 1980, he returned to Madison and opened the Loose Juice cart that serves fruit drinks during the summer on Library Mall.
Answer: Four young men, known as the New Years Gang, plotted and carried out the bombing of what was then the Army Mathematics Research Center, located in Sterling Hall. As a protest to the Vietnam War, Karl Armstrong came up with the idea and convinced his younger brother, Dwight Armstrong, along with David Fine and Leo Burt to participate in the bombing. At 3:42 a.m. on August 24, 1970, the New Years Gang exploded their prepared bomb, causing approximately six million dollars in damages. The New Years Gang did not intend on killing anyone and thought the surrounding buildings would be empty on a Sunday night. Robert Fassnacht, a physics post doc student, was working late that evening to finish an experiment. His death left the campus shaken with grief - and three children without a father.
The entire New Years Gang fled to Canada the evening of the explosion. Over the next several years, the police eventually found and arrested three of the four members; only Leo Burt has never been found. After Karl Armstrong was released from prison in 1980, he returned to Madison and opened the Loose Juice cart that serves fruit drinks during the summer on Library Mall.
Barbara Pilgrim '78 asks Abe, “When I was at college in the mid–'70s, I practically lived on Babcock Hall yogurt. The price was right. It was the first taste of yogurt for me and it remains the standard for all yogurt I have eaten since. Do they still make and sell their own from the original recipe?
Answer: They sure do still make and sell their own yogurt from the original recipe! The Babcock Dairy Store originally opened in 1951 and has undergone only one renovation since then. More than 6 million cones have been served since the store's opening.
Answer: They sure do still make and sell their own yogurt from the original recipe! The Babcock Dairy Store originally opened in 1951 and has undergone only one renovation since then. More than 6 million cones have been served since the store's opening.
Kirsten Hummel '98 asks Abe, “A friend and I were at the Kohl Center for a Badger hockey game recently. Earlier in the day there had been a men's basketball game. How do they switch floors? Where does the other floor go?”
Answer: Believe it or not, the Kohl Center floor is permanently covered with ice — at least from August through April. On days when there is a basketball game, the ice is covered with a Polar Floor layer, followed by the wood flooring you see at every basketball game. This wood floor comes in 4' x 8' grooved sections that are each numbered and lettered, and fit together like a puzzle. Though it takes 15–20 carts to hold all of the pieces, the Kohl Center crew has become so good at it that it only takes 45 minutes for a dozen people to assemble the basketball floor. (Or disassemble it, when going from basketball back to hockey again.)
Still, the Kohl Center allocates at least a four-hour turnaround between games, and often will schedule 11:00 a.m. basketball and 7:00 p.m. hockey games when they do fall on the same day.
Answer: Believe it or not, the Kohl Center floor is permanently covered with ice — at least from August through April. On days when there is a basketball game, the ice is covered with a Polar Floor layer, followed by the wood flooring you see at every basketball game. This wood floor comes in 4' x 8' grooved sections that are each numbered and lettered, and fit together like a puzzle. Though it takes 15–20 carts to hold all of the pieces, the Kohl Center crew has become so good at it that it only takes 45 minutes for a dozen people to assemble the basketball floor. (Or disassemble it, when going from basketball back to hockey again.)
Still, the Kohl Center allocates at least a four-hour turnaround between games, and often will schedule 11:00 a.m. basketball and 7:00 p.m. hockey games when they do fall on the same day.
Shari Newman asks Abe, “As a frequent diner at the Union, I found myself addicted to the ranch dressing. What kind is it?”
Answer: The ranch dressing so famous to the Memorial Union dining facilities has been a University of Wisconsin-Madison community favorite for a number of years. This tasty condiment consisted of buttermilk, mayonnaise and a Hidden Valley Ranch packet mix until about two years ago when the Memorial Union kitchen changed the recipe. The new, revamped dressing includes the Memorial Union kitchen's own homemade ranch mix instead of the Hidden Valley Ranch packet. This famous condiment, although a little different from the original, can still be enjoyed every day at the Memorial Union Rathskellar.
Answer: The ranch dressing so famous to the Memorial Union dining facilities has been a University of Wisconsin-Madison community favorite for a number of years. This tasty condiment consisted of buttermilk, mayonnaise and a Hidden Valley Ranch packet mix until about two years ago when the Memorial Union kitchen changed the recipe. The new, revamped dressing includes the Memorial Union kitchen's own homemade ranch mix instead of the Hidden Valley Ranch packet. This famous condiment, although a little different from the original, can still be enjoyed every day at the Memorial Union Rathskellar.
Ethel Helling '44 asks Abe, “I stayed at Elizabeth Waters in 1943, and I never knew who played the carillon bells, or was it recorded music?”
Answer: The University of Wisconsin-Madison Memorial Carillon Bells heard throughout the UW campus are most definitely not a recording. The chimes are, in fact, performed by the University Carillonneur, Lyle Anderson.
There are 56 total carillon bells in the carillon tower, located at the top of Observatory Drive in front of the Social Science building. The tower itself is the thirteenth largest carillon tower in the country and was a gift to the UW from the classes of 1917–1926. It seems that the bells were actually supposed to be put into the Bascom Hall dome once it was rebuilt after the 1916 fire. Unfortunately, the dome was left out of the reconstruction and therefore, so too were the bells. The bells were made in England and the Netherlands, and each can weigh as much as three and one-half tons.
Answer: The University of Wisconsin-Madison Memorial Carillon Bells heard throughout the UW campus are most definitely not a recording. The chimes are, in fact, performed by the University Carillonneur, Lyle Anderson.
There are 56 total carillon bells in the carillon tower, located at the top of Observatory Drive in front of the Social Science building. The tower itself is the thirteenth largest carillon tower in the country and was a gift to the UW from the classes of 1917–1926. It seems that the bells were actually supposed to be put into the Bascom Hall dome once it was rebuilt after the 1916 fire. Unfortunately, the dome was left out of the reconstruction and therefore, so too were the bells. The bells were made in England and the Netherlands, and each can weigh as much as three and one-half tons.
In 1480, when the idea of the carillon first came to be, the bell or bells were pulled by rope and used to call people to church or to alert citizens of war. Today, the UW's carillon bells are played by keyboard in a concert or recital form. Lyle Anderson plays about 40 free carillon concerts a year.
During the academic year, the public concerts are performed on Sundays at 3:00 p.m. There are also concert performances in the summer. For times and more information, contact the UW School of Music at (608) 263-1900.
During the academic year, the public concerts are performed on Sundays at 3:00 p.m. There are also concert performances in the summer. For times and more information, contact the UW School of Music at (608) 263-1900.
Andi Wittwer asks Abe, “Who built the State Historical Society Museum?”
Answer: The State Historical Society Museum, which now resides in a former department store at 30 N. Carroll Street on the Capitol Square, used to be a part of the State Historical Society building at the end of State Street on Library Mall. The museum was moved and opened at its new location in April 1986.
Before moving, the museum was in the basement and on the fourth floor of the famous Historical Society building. In fact, the Historical Society Museum's collections are still stored in the Historical Society building's basement today when they aren't being exhibited at the Capitol Square location.
Construction on the Historical Society building began in 1896, and it was completed and opened to the public in October 1900. The building was actually constructed to house and create more room for the Historical Society, its library and its collections, as well as to create space for the university library. A campaign for the construction of this building began because of the Historical Society's frequent moves around the Madison area and intense overcrowding of the university library. T.C. Chamberlin, the university's president at that time, made the suggestion to house the Historical Society and the university library in one building at a location close to the university campus.
Answer: The State Historical Society Museum, which now resides in a former department store at 30 N. Carroll Street on the Capitol Square, used to be a part of the State Historical Society building at the end of State Street on Library Mall. The museum was moved and opened at its new location in April 1986.
Before moving, the museum was in the basement and on the fourth floor of the famous Historical Society building. In fact, the Historical Society Museum's collections are still stored in the Historical Society building's basement today when they aren't being exhibited at the Capitol Square location.
Construction on the Historical Society building began in 1896, and it was completed and opened to the public in October 1900. The building was actually constructed to house and create more room for the Historical Society, its library and its collections, as well as to create space for the university library. A campaign for the construction of this building began because of the Historical Society's frequent moves around the Madison area and intense overcrowding of the university library. T.C. Chamberlin, the university's president at that time, made the suggestion to house the Historical Society and the university library in one building at a location close to the university campus.
There was an architectural competition for the construction of the Historical Society building that was eventually narrowed down to two firms. In the end, the Historical Society was built based on a design created by the Ferry and Clas architectural firm. Ferry and Clas had originally submitted a domed design for the building, but later removed that idea and replaced it with skylights to beat out the other architectural firm.
Again because of overcrowding, the university library moved out of the Historical Society building in 1952. Later, for the same reason, the society's museum moved out to its current Capitol Square location. Despite these moves and a few renovations, the Historical Society building has stood the test of time and has become a staple of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus area for over one hundred years.
Again because of overcrowding, the university library moved out of the Historical Society building in 1952. Later, for the same reason, the society's museum moved out to its current Capitol Square location. Despite these moves and a few renovations, the Historical Society building has stood the test of time and has become a staple of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus area for over one hundred years.
Nancy Proctor '76, MBA'78 asks Abe about the Memorial Union Terrace chairs: "Are these distinctive chairs available for purchase?"
Answer: The Memorial Union Terrace is definitely one of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's most famous landmarks. In addition to its stunning lakeside view and summertime concerts, the vibrant yellow, orange and green chairs make the Terrace a favorite campus hot spot.
Luckily for UW students and grads who want to keep Terrace memories close by, chairs were made available for purchase in 1982. They're sold in Badger red or white through the union's online store at both a Union member and a nonmember price.
Answer: The Memorial Union Terrace is definitely one of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's most famous landmarks. In addition to its stunning lakeside view and summertime concerts, the vibrant yellow, orange and green chairs make the Terrace a favorite campus hot spot.
Luckily for UW students and grads who want to keep Terrace memories close by, chairs were made available for purchase in 1982. They're sold in Badger red or white through the union's online store at both a Union member and a nonmember price.
Carl Schinke '93, MS '96 asks Abe, "I'm curious to know about the background of the Humanities building. I have heard a few legends about why it is such a maze. Two that come to mind are: the foundation was laid with the architectural plans upside down, and that it was built to withstand grenades or other explosives. What is the real reason, if there is one?"
Answer: Construction of the humanities building (now called the George L. Mosse Humanities Building), a 532-by-164 foot, seven-story block of concrete and lannon stone, began on May 17, 1966. This three-year project was originally planned for completion in August 1968, but because of labor strikes and shortages, the building didn't open until September 1969.
The original plan began as three separate buildings that would house the history, music and art departments. But in 1962, the building committee proposed that all three buildings be constructed as one.
Answer: Construction of the humanities building (now called the George L. Mosse Humanities Building), a 532-by-164 foot, seven-story block of concrete and lannon stone, began on May 17, 1966. This three-year project was originally planned for completion in August 1968, but because of labor strikes and shortages, the building didn't open until September 1969.
The original plan began as three separate buildings that would house the history, music and art departments. But in 1962, the building committee proposed that all three buildings be constructed as one.
It was at this phase that the architects and contractors ran into a number of problems. When the planning was finally complete, only one contractor was bidding on the project. Unfortunately, that bid was two million dollars over budget, so the building committee was forced to make changes to building's architecture in an effort to make construction cheaper.
It seems that these budget cuts are partly to blame for the building's unattractiveness. While the humanities building was constructed to create more room for the history, music and art departments, the final version was constructed as a compromised approach to the original plans of architect Harry Weese.
To this day, there continue to be sound problems between the music and history department areas, and the art department contends with space and ventilation issues.
It seems that these budget cuts are partly to blame for the building's unattractiveness. While the humanities building was constructed to create more room for the history, music and art departments, the final version was constructed as a compromised approach to the original plans of architect Harry Weese.
To this day, there continue to be sound problems between the music and history department areas, and the art department contends with space and ventilation issues.
Diane Milkowski '69 asks Abe,"There was a wall in front of Bascom Hall in 1969 that said, 'the truth shall make you free.' Am I remembering this correctly, and is it still there?"
Answer: Diane, you're half right in your recollection.
The plaque that hangs on Bascom Hall symbolizes the university's part in the struggle for academic freedom and reads:
"Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continued and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found."
Sifting and winnowing had special meaning in Wisconsin, an agricultural state. Farmers sift grain to separate the fine from the coarse, and winnow to separate the grain from the chaff. Today, this statement remains the credo of the university.
The wall and inscription you referred to in your question also exists, but they are part of South Hall (on the upper campus between the Law Building and Bascom Hall). The full text reads, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Class of 1955." The quote is from the Bible (John 8:32) and was approved for inscription on South Hall by the Board of Regents on June 14, 1955.
Answer: Diane, you're half right in your recollection.
The plaque that hangs on Bascom Hall symbolizes the university's part in the struggle for academic freedom and reads:
"Whatever may be the limitations which trammel inquiry elsewhere, we believe that the great state University of Wisconsin should ever encourage that continued and fearless sifting and winnowing by which alone the truth can be found."
Sifting and winnowing had special meaning in Wisconsin, an agricultural state. Farmers sift grain to separate the fine from the coarse, and winnow to separate the grain from the chaff. Today, this statement remains the credo of the university.
The wall and inscription you referred to in your question also exists, but they are part of South Hall (on the upper campus between the Law Building and Bascom Hall). The full text reads, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Class of 1955." The quote is from the Bible (John 8:32) and was approved for inscription on South Hall by the Board of Regents on June 14, 1955.
Donald Gordon '50 asks Abe: "Where on campus can you find carved in stone, 'Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith dare to do our duty?' "
Answer: Donald, you can find that inscription at the top of Bascom Hill, carved into the circular stone bench behind me. The quote was taken from my Cooper Union Address given in New York City on February 27, 1860, just before the beginning of the Civil War. That speech led to my nomination and then to my election as President of the United States. I spoke against the secession of the South from the Union, ending my address with these words: "Neither let us be slandered from our duty by false accusations against us, or frightened from it by menaces of destruction to the government nor of dungeons to ourselves. Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it."
Answer: Donald, you can find that inscription at the top of Bascom Hill, carved into the circular stone bench behind me. The quote was taken from my Cooper Union Address given in New York City on February 27, 1860, just before the beginning of the Civil War. That speech led to my nomination and then to my election as President of the United States. I spoke against the secession of the South from the Union, ending my address with these words: "Neither let us be slandered from our duty by false accusations against us, or frightened from it by menaces of destruction to the government nor of dungeons to ourselves. Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it."
Deidre Helmstetter MA'96 asks Abe: "How did the colorful chairs outside the UW student union get their distinctive look?"
Answer: The Memorial Union introduced the famous "sunburst" Terrace chairs in the 1960s. Green, yellow and orange were chosen as colors because they represented the Terrace's most popular seasons - summer and fall. The colorful chairs quickly became a symbol of the Terrace, but they almost met their end in the late 1970s. The manufacturer that produced Terrace chairs for the Memorial Union went out of business. Fortunately, the Memorial Union Building Association purchased the tool and die equipment to keep the beloved chairs in production. The sunburst chairs can be found at some other locations in Madison — for example, Edgewood College has them in a variety of colors in their café. However, the signature green, yellow and orange chairs that Badgers know and love are produced exclusively for the Union.
Answer: The Memorial Union introduced the famous "sunburst" Terrace chairs in the 1960s. Green, yellow and orange were chosen as colors because they represented the Terrace's most popular seasons - summer and fall. The colorful chairs quickly became a symbol of the Terrace, but they almost met their end in the late 1970s. The manufacturer that produced Terrace chairs for the Memorial Union went out of business. Fortunately, the Memorial Union Building Association purchased the tool and die equipment to keep the beloved chairs in production. The sunburst chairs can be found at some other locations in Madison — for example, Edgewood College has them in a variety of colors in their café. However, the signature green, yellow and orange chairs that Badgers know and love are produced exclusively for the Union.
Bill Curtin, PhD '59 asked Abe about the Knapp house: "I was at Knapp house in the early '50s. Does it still exist in the same location and for the same purpose?"
Answer: The Knapp Graduate Center still exists in its original location on Gilman Street and is the residence of the Marie Christine Kohler Fellows.
The house, originally built for Julius White in 1854, was purchased by the state of Wisconsin in 1885 and served as the Governor's Mansion until 1949. When the state purchased a new Governor's Mansion in 1950, the University of Wisconsin acquired the house from the earnings of the Kemper K. Knapp endowment fund and used it as a center for graduate students. Those chosen to live there were students within one year of completing their PhD and were to live there and discuss their specializations with each other during regular seminars. The experiment in student housing was a success, but the expense of maintaining such a huge, old building and the poor location of Knapp house caused the university regents to vote to sell the house in 1957. This sale never took place. The Kohler Foundation has generously funded the program since 1954, and the house still maintains its tradition as a center for rich academic and cultural exchange.
Click here for more information on Kohler Fellows, Knapp house and residents and alumni of the Knapp House.
Answer: The Knapp Graduate Center still exists in its original location on Gilman Street and is the residence of the Marie Christine Kohler Fellows.
The house, originally built for Julius White in 1854, was purchased by the state of Wisconsin in 1885 and served as the Governor's Mansion until 1949. When the state purchased a new Governor's Mansion in 1950, the University of Wisconsin acquired the house from the earnings of the Kemper K. Knapp endowment fund and used it as a center for graduate students. Those chosen to live there were students within one year of completing their PhD and were to live there and discuss their specializations with each other during regular seminars. The experiment in student housing was a success, but the expense of maintaining such a huge, old building and the poor location of Knapp house caused the university regents to vote to sell the house in 1957. This sale never took place. The Kohler Foundation has generously funded the program since 1954, and the house still maintains its tradition as a center for rich academic and cultural exchange.
Click here for more information on Kohler Fellows, Knapp house and residents and alumni of the Knapp House.
Thomas Hedden '76 asks Abe: "Is there any special significance to the Abraham Lincoln statue? That is, was the choice of Abraham Lincoln arbitrary, or was there a special reason he was chosen as the subject of the statue?"
Answer: Unveiled in 1909 as a gift of the sculptor, Adolph Weinman, the Abraham Lincoln statue sitting atop Bascom Hill is the only replica of a statue Weinman previously erected in Hodgenville, Kentucky - Lincoln's birthplace. However, the inscription attributes the gift to Madisonian Thomas Brittingham, who paid for the casting and pedestal. The choice of Lincoln, as you'll see below, was by no means arbitrary.
Abraham Lincoln was instrumental in passing the federal land-grant legislation that allowed state universities like the UW to grow and thrive, while allowing more students from all economic walks of life access to higher education.
He signed three acts in 1862 that were key to enhancing the quality of UW-Madison: the first created the Department of Agriculture, the second was the Homestead Act and the third was the Morrill Act.
Answer: Unveiled in 1909 as a gift of the sculptor, Adolph Weinman, the Abraham Lincoln statue sitting atop Bascom Hill is the only replica of a statue Weinman previously erected in Hodgenville, Kentucky - Lincoln's birthplace. However, the inscription attributes the gift to Madisonian Thomas Brittingham, who paid for the casting and pedestal. The choice of Lincoln, as you'll see below, was by no means arbitrary.
Abraham Lincoln was instrumental in passing the federal land-grant legislation that allowed state universities like the UW to grow and thrive, while allowing more students from all economic walks of life access to higher education.
He signed three acts in 1862 that were key to enhancing the quality of UW-Madison: the first created the Department of Agriculture, the second was the Homestead Act and the third was the Morrill Act.
The Morrill Act, originally vetoed by President Buchanan, donated public lands to several states, the sale of which was for "endowment, support and maintenance of at least one college where the leading object shall be, without excluding other scientific and classical studies and including military tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts, in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions in life."
Some states used the funds to start new colleges, while others, like Wisconsin and Minnesota, used the money to enhance institutions that were already established.
With the passage of this act, equality of educational opportunity became a reality. The act was hailed as the "Education Bill of Rights" and proved to be instrumental in aiding those of modest financial status who were striving for a college education.
"I can only say that I view education as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in."
- Abraham Lincoln
Some states used the funds to start new colleges, while others, like Wisconsin and Minnesota, used the money to enhance institutions that were already established.
With the passage of this act, equality of educational opportunity became a reality. The act was hailed as the "Education Bill of Rights" and proved to be instrumental in aiding those of modest financial status who were striving for a college education.
"I can only say that I view education as the most important subject which we as a people can be engaged in."
- Abraham Lincoln
Barbara J. Arnold MA'73 asks Abe: "I am one of the very fortunate people working in Helen C. White Hall and get to enjoy the loons that migrate through each spring and fall. What is it about Lake Mendota that attracts the usually solitary loons to stop and feed so close to the shore in front of the Limnology Lab and the Water Science and Engineering Lab?"
Answer: In fall and spring, it is common to spot large groups of migrant loons on the southern part of Lake Mendota. The gathering of these otherwise territorial birds is social preparation for migration. The birds spend most of their time near the Limnology Lab and Water Science and Engineering Lab buildings where they are protected from the southern winds.
In recent summers, nonbreeding assemblages have been observed in the middle of the lake. Wildlife ecology Professor Stanley Temple attributes this behavior to the decrease in available loon territory due to shoreline development, pollution and harassment by lake users. The flock feeds in Lake Mendota until breeding time when they return home.
To learn more about loons and how to save their environment, contact Wisconsin Project Loon Watch, Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin 54806. (715) 682-1220
Answer: In fall and spring, it is common to spot large groups of migrant loons on the southern part of Lake Mendota. The gathering of these otherwise territorial birds is social preparation for migration. The birds spend most of their time near the Limnology Lab and Water Science and Engineering Lab buildings where they are protected from the southern winds.
In recent summers, nonbreeding assemblages have been observed in the middle of the lake. Wildlife ecology Professor Stanley Temple attributes this behavior to the decrease in available loon territory due to shoreline development, pollution and harassment by lake users. The flock feeds in Lake Mendota until breeding time when they return home.
To learn more about loons and how to save their environment, contact Wisconsin Project Loon Watch, Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin 54806. (715) 682-1220
Sherry Kennedy, '74, asks Abe about the Memorial Carillon: "It was always a treat to hear the Memorial Carillon bells. How and who gets selected to play them? Who played them the year I graduated, and who plays them now, nearly 30 years later?"
Answer: Serving as University Carillonneur from 1960 to 1984, John Wright Harvey was playing the concerts you heard the year you graduated. Harvey was actually the first carillonneur to have an official faculty appointment to that position. The seven others who preceded him since the carillon first chimed in 1936 held no official university title. The university's resident carillonneurs are selected for their abilities and expertise in playing the unique four-and-one-half octave, 56-bell instrument. Many guest performers also make stops in Madison to play during the Sunday concerts performed throughout each summer. The current carillonneur is Lyle Anderson, who was actually a student of John Wright Harvey. Anderson has held the title of university carillonneur since 1986, and continues to bring the sound of music to Bascom Hill.
Answer: Serving as University Carillonneur from 1960 to 1984, John Wright Harvey was playing the concerts you heard the year you graduated. Harvey was actually the first carillonneur to have an official faculty appointment to that position. The seven others who preceded him since the carillon first chimed in 1936 held no official university title. The university's resident carillonneurs are selected for their abilities and expertise in playing the unique four-and-one-half octave, 56-bell instrument. Many guest performers also make stops in Madison to play during the Sunday concerts performed throughout each summer. The current carillonneur is Lyle Anderson, who was actually a student of John Wright Harvey. Anderson has held the title of university carillonneur since 1986, and continues to bring the sound of music to Bascom Hill.
Laura Aden '77 asks Abe: "Just how steep is the incline of Bascom Hill?"
Answer: The change in elevation of Bascom Hill from the Park Street sidewalk to the base of the Lincoln statue is 86 feet. The hill is 850 feet long, resulting in a slope of approximately 10 percent, or 5.8 degrees.
Answer: The change in elevation of Bascom Hill from the Park Street sidewalk to the base of the Lincoln statue is 86 feet. The hill is 850 feet long, resulting in a slope of approximately 10 percent, or 5.8 degrees.
Karen Swiatek Fleming '62 asks Abe: "What are the names of Residence Halls A, B and C (circa 1960s), and for whom were they named?"
Answer: Elm Drive A, B and C, located just to the south of the Holt and Kronshage dorms along Lake Mendota, were completed and opened in 1959. Although the group was never given a formal name, the regents did assign names to the individual houses of the dorms. The dorms were immediately popular with the students, although their use as housing lasted less than twenty years. In 1970, The Division of University Housing closed Elm Drive B and C due to dwindling enrollment in the dorms. These two buildings and the Elm Drive Commons were immediately modified for other uses. The Commons became the home of the Food Research Institute; Elm Drive B was named after Jacob F. Friedrick and now provides hotel rooms, office space and classroom space for continuing education programs through UW-Extension; and Elm Drive C was named for Scott Goodnight and houses the department of Communication Disorders and the Water Resources Center. Elm Drive A was named after late professor Harold Bradley and continues to be used as student housing. This Residence Hall is now known as the Bradley Learning Community and provides academic instruction and aid to its 250 freshman students.
Answer: Elm Drive A, B and C, located just to the south of the Holt and Kronshage dorms along Lake Mendota, were completed and opened in 1959. Although the group was never given a formal name, the regents did assign names to the individual houses of the dorms. The dorms were immediately popular with the students, although their use as housing lasted less than twenty years. In 1970, The Division of University Housing closed Elm Drive B and C due to dwindling enrollment in the dorms. These two buildings and the Elm Drive Commons were immediately modified for other uses. The Commons became the home of the Food Research Institute; Elm Drive B was named after Jacob F. Friedrick and now provides hotel rooms, office space and classroom space for continuing education programs through UW-Extension; and Elm Drive C was named for Scott Goodnight and houses the department of Communication Disorders and the Water Resources Center. Elm Drive A was named after late professor Harold Bradley and continues to be used as student housing. This Residence Hall is now known as the Bradley Learning Community and provides academic instruction and aid to its 250 freshman students.
The Kronshage group of dormitories constructed in the late 1930s. They were the first three buildings to be constructed in response to the growing problem of affordable housing for university students. Construction on buildings A, B and C was finished in 1938, but the buildings were not named until 1939 during the construction of the remaining five buildings of the Kronshage group.
Building "A" is called Turner house, named after Frederick J. Turner. Building "B" is called Gilman house and named after Stephen W. Gilman. Building "C" is called Mack house, named for John G.D. Mack. All of the houses of the Kronshage group were named for outstanding university regents or scholars.
Building "A" is called Turner house, named after Frederick J. Turner. Building "B" is called Gilman house and named after Stephen W. Gilman. Building "C" is called Mack house, named for John G.D. Mack. All of the houses of the Kronshage group were named for outstanding university regents or scholars.
Phil Drajeske '57 asks Abe: "Thinking of Camp Randall, not as a football stadium, but as a Civil War camp, are there resources to tell of the activities there, particularly of the Wisconsin 22nd home guard? Are there pictures? How do I find the small remnant park of the old camp?
Answer: A Civil War training post named after Governor Alexander W. Randall, Camp Randall occupied 42 acres extending from University Avenue to Monroe Street, between Breese Terrace and Randall Avenue. In 1860, the land was located approximately 1.5 miles outside of Madison. The land was donated in 1861 by the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society to the state legislature as a drill ground for Union troops. Eventually, 70,000 of the state's 91,327 troops were equipped and trained here before being sent to battlefields in the South.
In 1862, 1400 confederate soldiers captured at Island 10 in the Mississippi and at Shiloh were held at Camp Randall. Many of these soldiers died of their wounds and are buried in a cemetery on Madison's west side in an area known as "soldiers rest," the northernmost confederate cemetery in the United States.
After the war, the land became the state fairgrounds, and the university acquired it as an athletic field in 1893. In 1911 a 6.5-acre parcel at the east entrance to the camp was set aside as Camp Randall Memorial Park, and a memorial arch to honor Wisconsin's soldiers was completed in 1912 at a cost of $25,000. Camp Randall was the training site for the 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 23rd, 29th, 30th, 36th, 37th (Part), 38th, 40th, 42nd, 46th, and 49th WI VI, and saw the departure of Co. G. Berdan's Sharpshooters.
Answer: A Civil War training post named after Governor Alexander W. Randall, Camp Randall occupied 42 acres extending from University Avenue to Monroe Street, between Breese Terrace and Randall Avenue. In 1860, the land was located approximately 1.5 miles outside of Madison. The land was donated in 1861 by the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society to the state legislature as a drill ground for Union troops. Eventually, 70,000 of the state's 91,327 troops were equipped and trained here before being sent to battlefields in the South.
In 1862, 1400 confederate soldiers captured at Island 10 in the Mississippi and at Shiloh were held at Camp Randall. Many of these soldiers died of their wounds and are buried in a cemetery on Madison's west side in an area known as "soldiers rest," the northernmost confederate cemetery in the United States.
After the war, the land became the state fairgrounds, and the university acquired it as an athletic field in 1893. In 1911 a 6.5-acre parcel at the east entrance to the camp was set aside as Camp Randall Memorial Park, and a memorial arch to honor Wisconsin's soldiers was completed in 1912 at a cost of $25,000. Camp Randall was the training site for the 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 23rd, 29th, 30th, 36th, 37th (Part), 38th, 40th, 42nd, 46th, and 49th WI VI, and saw the departure of Co. G. Berdan's Sharpshooters.
Camp Randall Memorial Park still exists, although its size has been reduced due to the addition of the McClain athletic facility and the expansion of Camp Randall Stadium. The memorial arch, located at the intersection of Dayton Street and Randall Avenue, serves as the main entrance to the park. The park features Civil War-era canons and a plaque with information about the camp during the Civil War.
There are few pictures of Camp Randall during the Civil War era, although some sketches, woodcarvings and paintings captured its appearance as a training camp. An excellent online gallery of pictures can be found here.
The book "Soldiers When They Go: The Story of Camp Randall," published in 1981 by the Wisconsin Historical Society, is an excellent account of the camp based on soldiers' diaries, letters and military records.
A pamphlet written by S.D. Forbes in the late 1890s called "Camp Randall and Environs" also provides a detailed account of the camp.
There are few pictures of Camp Randall during the Civil War era, although some sketches, woodcarvings and paintings captured its appearance as a training camp. An excellent online gallery of pictures can be found here.
The book "Soldiers When They Go: The Story of Camp Randall," published in 1981 by the Wisconsin Historical Society, is an excellent account of the camp based on soldiers' diaries, letters and military records.
A pamphlet written by S.D. Forbes in the late 1890s called "Camp Randall and Environs" also provides a detailed account of the camp.
Jack Cunningham '71 asks Abe: "During the late '60s I lived in Adams Hall. Each spring, the dorms along the lakeshore held something called Dormsylvania. Is this still in existence and what is the history behind it?"
Answer: This Men's Halls Association (MHA) proclaimed an annual spring formal in honor of the Duke of Windsor in 1936, resulting in the first Dormsylvania celebration. When the duke abdicated the English throne to marry a commoner, Wallis Simpson, the men of the dormitories that comprised the MHA were impressed with his decision to choose love over monarchy, and they created a new kingdom, Dormsylvania, for the duke and his bride. The duke was invited to rule over Dormsylvania, but when he declined the invitation, the MHA held elections to choose a substitute duke.
Campaigning for the title of Dorm Duke was fierce. For 10 days, student candidates and their followers had parades, performed skits and stunts, and competed in athletic contests in an attempt to win votes. The week of rowdy competition culminated in the crowning of the Dorm Duke at a semiformal dance.
In addition to the election of the duke, Dormsylvania featured contests for each house of the MHA. The contests included a talent (non-talent) show, beer bash and midnight movie, a bicycle race, an egg throwing contest, a gunnysack race, a beard growing contest, tug of war, a beer chugging contest, a picnic dinner and a bed race. In the late 1960s, the ecology be-in trash pick-up was also added to the list of events. There was a traveling trophy presented to the winner of the title of Dorm Duke, and a Dormsylvania sweepstakes trophy awarded to the house that had earned the most points for contests throughout the week.
Answer: This Men's Halls Association (MHA) proclaimed an annual spring formal in honor of the Duke of Windsor in 1936, resulting in the first Dormsylvania celebration. When the duke abdicated the English throne to marry a commoner, Wallis Simpson, the men of the dormitories that comprised the MHA were impressed with his decision to choose love over monarchy, and they created a new kingdom, Dormsylvania, for the duke and his bride. The duke was invited to rule over Dormsylvania, but when he declined the invitation, the MHA held elections to choose a substitute duke.
Campaigning for the title of Dorm Duke was fierce. For 10 days, student candidates and their followers had parades, performed skits and stunts, and competed in athletic contests in an attempt to win votes. The week of rowdy competition culminated in the crowning of the Dorm Duke at a semiformal dance.
In addition to the election of the duke, Dormsylvania featured contests for each house of the MHA. The contests included a talent (non-talent) show, beer bash and midnight movie, a bicycle race, an egg throwing contest, a gunnysack race, a beard growing contest, tug of war, a beer chugging contest, a picnic dinner and a bed race. In the late 1960s, the ecology be-in trash pick-up was also added to the list of events. There was a traveling trophy presented to the winner of the title of Dorm Duke, and a Dormsylvania sweepstakes trophy awarded to the house that had earned the most points for contests throughout the week.
From its inception, Dormsylvania became an annual event for the lakeshore dorms and was celebrated for nearly 40 years. The week of festivities was a time for students to forget about the stresses of UW, let loose and celebrate the end of the semester and the coming of spring. The annual event received a lot of attention on campus, and was even featured in a Life magazine article in 1953.
Unfortunately, the magical world of Dormsylvania vanished in the mid-1970s. But, residents of lakeshore dorms still have something to celebrate each spring: The annual spring festival is now called Springfest, and although the traveling trophies, stunts and parades have ceased, Springfest is a collaborative effort among all the lakeshore dorms, and still provides residents with a chance to take a break from classes and celebrate the coming of spring by delivering free movies, music, a housefellow dunk-tank, T-shirt tie-dyeing, picnics and contests.
In addition to Springfest, the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board (WASB) also celebrates the end of the semester when they host the All-Campus Party, sponsoring a week's worth of alcohol-free entertainment and activities for students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community.
Unfortunately, the magical world of Dormsylvania vanished in the mid-1970s. But, residents of lakeshore dorms still have something to celebrate each spring: The annual spring festival is now called Springfest, and although the traveling trophies, stunts and parades have ceased, Springfest is a collaborative effort among all the lakeshore dorms, and still provides residents with a chance to take a break from classes and celebrate the coming of spring by delivering free movies, music, a housefellow dunk-tank, T-shirt tie-dyeing, picnics and contests.
In addition to Springfest, the Wisconsin Alumni Student Board (WASB) also celebrates the end of the semester when they host the All-Campus Party, sponsoring a week's worth of alcohol-free entertainment and activities for students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community.
Matthew Kyler '79, Mark Kelley, Geri Ceci Cupery '80, MA'88 and Mark Rein '83 all asked Abe about the history behind the Science Hall fire chutes.
Answer: The south rear tower originally held a smooth metal spiral fire escape slide tube. From the swing doors at the third-floor entrance, it provided a whooshing, dark, spiral ride to the courtyard below, a vertical drop of 50 feet.
Shirley Paley, who was an administrative assistant in the geography department from 1968-87, is credited with establishing the ritual of initiating each new department chairman by sending him and his predecessor down the slide. The slide has also provided entertainment for many students, who used the slides as a rite of passage, so to speak, after final exams.
Answer: The south rear tower originally held a smooth metal spiral fire escape slide tube. From the swing doors at the third-floor entrance, it provided a whooshing, dark, spiral ride to the courtyard below, a vertical drop of 50 feet.
Shirley Paley, who was an administrative assistant in the geography department from 1968-87, is credited with establishing the ritual of initiating each new department chairman by sending him and his predecessor down the slide. The slide has also provided entertainment for many students, who used the slides as a rite of passage, so to speak, after final exams.
Elyssa Goldman '00 asks Abe, "Why is there a statue of you on Bascom Hill? Do you have some historical connection to UW-Madison?"
Answer: I was given to UW-Madison in 1909 by my sculptor, Adolph Weinman. However, my inscription attributes the gift to Madisonian Thomas Brittingham, who paid for my casting and pedestal. My namesake, Abe Lincoln, is considered a patron of the university because he signed the Morrill Act in 1862 to provide federal aid to land-grant colleges like UW-Madison.
Answer: I was given to UW-Madison in 1909 by my sculptor, Adolph Weinman. However, my inscription attributes the gift to Madisonian Thomas Brittingham, who paid for my casting and pedestal. My namesake, Abe Lincoln, is considered a patron of the university because he signed the Morrill Act in 1862 to provide federal aid to land-grant colleges like UW-Madison.
Cora Zaeske '97 asks Abe, "Is it true that the statue of a lady on top of the Capitol building has a Badger face?"
Answer: The Capitol dome is topped by Daniel Chester French's gilded bronze statue, "Wisconsin." Though the statue has reportedly been re-gilded three times (in 1914, 1932 and 1957), it has never been given a Badger face. Visit the State Capitol's Web site to see for yourself, or get information about the free, daily tours.
Answer: The Capitol dome is topped by Daniel Chester French's gilded bronze statue, "Wisconsin." Though the statue has reportedly been re-gilded three times (in 1914, 1932 and 1957), it has never been given a Badger face. Visit the State Capitol's Web site to see for yourself, or get information about the free, daily tours.
Bill Debauche '74 asked Abe for the honest answer to this question: "How many of the businesses on State Street in 1974 are still there? Or, if 1974 is difficult to determine, I would settle for any year before 1982!"
Answer: From where I sit, it looks like 14 State Street businesses still exist today in the same buildings that housed them in 1974. They are: the Orpheum Theatre, Goodman's Jewelers, The Parthenon, Badger Liquor Shop, Stop & Shop Grocery, Gino's Restaurant, The Pub, College Barber Shop, Paul's Book Store, Calvary Lutheran University Chapel, University Book Store, Saint Paul's University Catholic Center, UW Memorial Library and the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.
Eight others are in the same place, but have simply changed names (e.g., what was the Brathaus in 1974 is now State Street Brats). Another six businesses are still on State Street, but have moved locations (e.g., Jack's Shoes and The Soap Opera).
Answer: From where I sit, it looks like 14 State Street businesses still exist today in the same buildings that housed them in 1974. They are: the Orpheum Theatre, Goodman's Jewelers, The Parthenon, Badger Liquor Shop, Stop & Shop Grocery, Gino's Restaurant, The Pub, College Barber Shop, Paul's Book Store, Calvary Lutheran University Chapel, University Book Store, Saint Paul's University Catholic Center, UW Memorial Library and the State Historical Society of Wisconsin.
Eight others are in the same place, but have simply changed names (e.g., what was the Brathaus in 1974 is now State Street Brats). Another six businesses are still on State Street, but have moved locations (e.g., Jack's Shoes and The Soap Opera).
Sara Cotton ’00, MA’04 asks Abe: “I’ve heard that, as a graduate of UW-Madison, I can still use the SERF and the Nat. How do I get a pass or ID?”
Answer: UW alumni can purchase a public membership at the Camp Randall Sports Center (The Shell) for $315 a year. Unfortunately, unless you are affiliated with a UW faculty or staff member, you’re ineligible to receive a pass to the SERF and the Natatorium.
Answer: UW alumni can purchase a public membership at the Camp Randall Sports Center (The Shell) for $315 a year. Unfortunately, unless you are affiliated with a UW faculty or staff member, you’re ineligible to receive a pass to the SERF and the Natatorium.
David Chittenden PhD'61 asks Abe: An event that made news all over the world was the attack on the math or computer science building (was it in the 70s?). Although such a terrorist attack cannot be justified, I would like to know more about what happened before, during and after the attack. Has a good history of this been written?
Answer: Yes, many articles, books and documentary films have explored the Sterling Hall bombing, including the motivations of the four men responsible. Rads: The 1970 Bombing of the Army Math Research Center at the University of Wisconsin and its Aftermath, a 1992 book by journalist Tom Bates MA'68, PhD'72, offers a gripping account of the bombing and that era at UW-Madison. The Madison Bombings: The Story of One of the Two Largest Vehicle-Bombings Ever, a 1988 book by Michael Morris, describes the police procedural for solving the bombing, which killed a physics researcher and injured at least five others. The War at Home is a 1979 documentary film directed by Glenn Silber and Barry Brown on Madison's antiwar unrest during the Vietnam War, including the Sterling Hall bombing. The Bombing of Sterling Hall, a 1999 documentary video by Christopher Lee of Leemark Communications includes interviews with some people involved in the event nearly thirty years later. Madison columnist Doug Moe '79 wrote about suspected accomplice and fugitive Leo Burt x'70 in the summer 2005 issue of On Wisconsin.
Answer: Yes, many articles, books and documentary films have explored the Sterling Hall bombing, including the motivations of the four men responsible. Rads: The 1970 Bombing of the Army Math Research Center at the University of Wisconsin and its Aftermath, a 1992 book by journalist Tom Bates MA'68, PhD'72, offers a gripping account of the bombing and that era at UW-Madison. The Madison Bombings: The Story of One of the Two Largest Vehicle-Bombings Ever, a 1988 book by Michael Morris, describes the police procedural for solving the bombing, which killed a physics researcher and injured at least five others. The War at Home is a 1979 documentary film directed by Glenn Silber and Barry Brown on Madison's antiwar unrest during the Vietnam War, including the Sterling Hall bombing. The Bombing of Sterling Hall, a 1999 documentary video by Christopher Lee of Leemark Communications includes interviews with some people involved in the event nearly thirty years later. Madison columnist Doug Moe '79 wrote about suspected accomplice and fugitive Leo Burt x'70 in the summer 2005 issue of On Wisconsin.
J. Lance Kramer ’65, MA’66, PhD’72 asks Abe: My dad, who attended in the 20s, used to talk about a summer school student tent colony operated by the university on Lake Mendota. Was there actually such a place?
Answer: Yes, your father’s stories of a tent colony located on Lake Mendota are true. The North Shore Woods, located between Lake Mendota Drive on the south and the lake on the north, housed primarily UW graduate students enrolled for summer school. The university provided tents on platforms, showers and a building with electricity used as a study hall. The tent colony was established around the beginning of World War I and operated until the early 1960s.
Answer: Yes, your father’s stories of a tent colony located on Lake Mendota are true. The North Shore Woods, located between Lake Mendota Drive on the south and the lake on the north, housed primarily UW graduate students enrolled for summer school. The university provided tents on platforms, showers and a building with electricity used as a study hall. The tent colony was established around the beginning of World War I and operated until the early 1960s.
Todd Johnson '86 asks Abe: "As an undergraduate in the mid '80s, I lived in an older-looking apartment building on the corner of North Frances and Langdon streets called Ann Emery. I heard that at one time, this building might have been a dormitory for UW-Madison students. Any idea if this is true or if there is some other similar history of this building?"
Answer: Ann Emery Hall opened on Oct. 22, 1930, as an independent women's dorm. Named for a beloved Dean of Women, it swiftly became one of the largest and most popular independent halls on campus. With its ivy-covered brick walls and intricate stone carvings of knights and rosettes gracing the vaulted wooden doorway, Ann Emery Hall was more reminiscent of a medieval manor house than an institutional dormitory. Sadly, after four decades of service to students, the hall closed its doors in 1971 due to the increasing demand for off-campus apartments. Ironically, the charming building on Langdon Street is now a private apartment complex.
Answer: Ann Emery Hall opened on Oct. 22, 1930, as an independent women's dorm. Named for a beloved Dean of Women, it swiftly became one of the largest and most popular independent halls on campus. With its ivy-covered brick walls and intricate stone carvings of knights and rosettes gracing the vaulted wooden doorway, Ann Emery Hall was more reminiscent of a medieval manor house than an institutional dormitory. Sadly, after four decades of service to students, the hall closed its doors in 1971 due to the increasing demand for off-campus apartments. Ironically, the charming building on Langdon Street is now a private apartment complex.
Thomas Lee ’74 asks Abe: “I heard that the knoll near the observatory across the street from Liz Waters is an Indian burial mound. Is that true?”
Answer: The UW campus was built on ground that was inhabited by Wisconsin’s American Indian people for thousands of years before the advent of the United States. In fact, Madison and its surrounding lakes have more than 1,500 effigy mounds, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, because this area was the capital for mound-building in the state. Effigy mounds were constructed in complex animal shapes and were often the burial sites for a number of people. Without any written evidence to go by, researchers surmise that the shapes represent spirits of the earth, sky and water.
There are signs of this rich history nearly everywhere you look — and Observatory Drive is no exception. Perhaps the UW’s most famous effigy mound group is located near Liz Waters: the Observatory Hill Mounds, including a bird, an unusual double-tailed water spirit, a panther and a linear-shaped effigy. Portions of these mounds were destroyed when the campus was developed. A nearby plaque says that the Ho Chunk people built the mounds 500 years ago; but archaeologists believe the mounds are at least a thousand years old, and may have been constructed by a related tribe.
The Observatory Hill Mounds are among nearly 40 others across campus — more than can be found at any other university in the world. Some of the UW’s buildings, such as Bascom Hall and Kronshage Hall, were constructed on top of effigy mounds. Most of them are located in the Arboretum or near Picnic Point.
Answer: The UW campus was built on ground that was inhabited by Wisconsin’s American Indian people for thousands of years before the advent of the United States. In fact, Madison and its surrounding lakes have more than 1,500 effigy mounds, according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, because this area was the capital for mound-building in the state. Effigy mounds were constructed in complex animal shapes and were often the burial sites for a number of people. Without any written evidence to go by, researchers surmise that the shapes represent spirits of the earth, sky and water.
There are signs of this rich history nearly everywhere you look — and Observatory Drive is no exception. Perhaps the UW’s most famous effigy mound group is located near Liz Waters: the Observatory Hill Mounds, including a bird, an unusual double-tailed water spirit, a panther and a linear-shaped effigy. Portions of these mounds were destroyed when the campus was developed. A nearby plaque says that the Ho Chunk people built the mounds 500 years ago; but archaeologists believe the mounds are at least a thousand years old, and may have been constructed by a related tribe.
The Observatory Hill Mounds are among nearly 40 others across campus — more than can be found at any other university in the world. Some of the UW’s buildings, such as Bascom Hall and Kronshage Hall, were constructed on top of effigy mounds. Most of them are located in the Arboretum or near Picnic Point.
Joanne Black ’97 asks Abe: “As a former resident and housefellow in Ogg Hall, I'm sad to learn that Ogg will be torn down. Do you know when Ogg will be demolished, and is there a way to get a brick?”
ANSWER: Ogg Hall is a landmark on campus that has caused a considerable amount of controversy over the years. Built in 1965, Ogg’s twin thirteen-story towers are home to 950 coed students. Although it’s relatively new for a residence hall, Ogg is slated for demolition in fall 2008.
There are a number of reasons for this decision. Ogg Hall was built in a hurry, along with Sellery Hall, Witte Hall and Gordon Commons, to accommodate a doubling of enrollment between 1959 and 1965. Ogg needed some serious updates, which are cost-prohibitive because of its unwieldy design. And Ogg’s imposing towers don’t fit in with UW-Madison’s current master plan, which envisions open space and a community-oriented atmosphere. In coming years, an east-campus pedestrian mall will run from Lake Mendota to Regent Street, straight through the spot where Ogg now stands.
Although Ogg will be torn down, the name won’t be lost. A brand-new Ogg Hall is being constructed nearby on the corner of West Dayton and South Park streets, across from the Kohl Center, and will open its doors in August 2007. The university’s newest residence hall offers enticing amenities, such as a cluster-style floor plan with shared bathrooms among eight people, private classroom space, air conditioning and a technology center. Ogg’s residents will still dine at Gordon Commons or Pop’s Club, and will pay a premium price to live in the new facility.
Residents of the “old” Ogg Hall will be happy to know that although their former “home away from home” will be wiped off the map, it won’t be going to the landfill. There aren’t any plans to offer commemorative bricks to alumni because Ogg Hall will be torn down bit by bit so its materials can be recycled.
ANSWER: Ogg Hall is a landmark on campus that has caused a considerable amount of controversy over the years. Built in 1965, Ogg’s twin thirteen-story towers are home to 950 coed students. Although it’s relatively new for a residence hall, Ogg is slated for demolition in fall 2008.
There are a number of reasons for this decision. Ogg Hall was built in a hurry, along with Sellery Hall, Witte Hall and Gordon Commons, to accommodate a doubling of enrollment between 1959 and 1965. Ogg needed some serious updates, which are cost-prohibitive because of its unwieldy design. And Ogg’s imposing towers don’t fit in with UW-Madison’s current master plan, which envisions open space and a community-oriented atmosphere. In coming years, an east-campus pedestrian mall will run from Lake Mendota to Regent Street, straight through the spot where Ogg now stands.
Although Ogg will be torn down, the name won’t be lost. A brand-new Ogg Hall is being constructed nearby on the corner of West Dayton and South Park streets, across from the Kohl Center, and will open its doors in August 2007. The university’s newest residence hall offers enticing amenities, such as a cluster-style floor plan with shared bathrooms among eight people, private classroom space, air conditioning and a technology center. Ogg’s residents will still dine at Gordon Commons or Pop’s Club, and will pay a premium price to live in the new facility.
Residents of the “old” Ogg Hall will be happy to know that although their former “home away from home” will be wiped off the map, it won’t be going to the landfill. There aren’t any plans to offer commemorative bricks to alumni because Ogg Hall will be torn down bit by bit so its materials can be recycled.
James Habeck asks Abe: “Does the UW’s Arboretum still fill a university need for cutting-edge ecology research, as it did when it was first developed back in the 1940s, or is it more of a public park today?”
Answer: The University of Wisconsin’s Arboretum is widely recognized as a center for ecological research and restoration.
Established during the Great Depression, the Arboretum is an extension of the University of Wisconsin and is used by students and faculty for research and class work. Madison was growing at a rapid rate at that time, and citizens recognized the need to preserve green space. As a result, local civic leaders donated most of the Arboretum’s land during the 1920s. Crews from the Civilian Conservation Corps did the manual labor to create the Arboretum between 1935 and 1941. Today, thanks to decades of dedication, our Arboretum boasts the world’s oldest and most extensive collection of restored ecosystems, including savannas, prairies, deciduous forests, conifer forests, wetlands, and native gardens spanning 1,260 acres bordering Lake Wingra.
The Arboretum’s mission is to “conserve and restore Arboretum lands, advance restoration ecology, and foster the land ethic.” Though its primary function is ecological research, the Arboretum’s scenic trails attract many other visitors year-round. The Arboretum also sponsors a variety of guided public walks, classes, family programs and volunteer opportunities.
Answer: The University of Wisconsin’s Arboretum is widely recognized as a center for ecological research and restoration.
Established during the Great Depression, the Arboretum is an extension of the University of Wisconsin and is used by students and faculty for research and class work. Madison was growing at a rapid rate at that time, and citizens recognized the need to preserve green space. As a result, local civic leaders donated most of the Arboretum’s land during the 1920s. Crews from the Civilian Conservation Corps did the manual labor to create the Arboretum between 1935 and 1941. Today, thanks to decades of dedication, our Arboretum boasts the world’s oldest and most extensive collection of restored ecosystems, including savannas, prairies, deciduous forests, conifer forests, wetlands, and native gardens spanning 1,260 acres bordering Lake Wingra.
The Arboretum’s mission is to “conserve and restore Arboretum lands, advance restoration ecology, and foster the land ethic.” Though its primary function is ecological research, the Arboretum’s scenic trails attract many other visitors year-round. The Arboretum also sponsors a variety of guided public walks, classes, family programs and volunteer opportunities.
Carolyn Sumner ’47, MA’70 asks Abe: “I have an original poster for a concert by Paderewski held at the Stock Pavilion on March 14 at 8:15 p.m. I have been unable to find out what year it was. Abe, in your infinite wisdom, will you tell me?”
Answer: Ignacy Jan Paderewski had the unusual distinction of being a successful pianist and a politician. Born in 1860 in a small Russian village, Paderewski enrolled in the Warsaw Conservatory in Poland at age 12. Soon after graduating, Paderewski traveled to Berlin, Germany, to study music composition. In 1884, he moved to Vienna, Austria, where he gained popularity for his brilliant piano performances.
Also a fervent patriot, Paderewski was active in the Polish National Committee during World War I. In fact, Paderewski was the Polish Prime Minister, and he signed the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 that officially ended the war. By 1922, he retired from politics and devoted his life to music.
Paderewski toured the United States, performing at famous venues including Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, and even the University of Wisconsin Stock Pavilion. Paderewski’s Stock Pavilion concert was held in 1928 for a capacity crowd.
According to an oral history given by former Wisconsin Union director Porter Butts, the Paderewski performance was held in the Stock Pavilion because at that time, the building offered the best acoustics on campus. The Wisconsin Union Theater was just being built that year, and many other concerts were held in the Memorial Union’s Great Hall or in Music Hall. However, the acoustics of those auditoriums were not favorable to a concert pianist, which is why the performance was held at the Stock Pavilion.
Answer: Ignacy Jan Paderewski had the unusual distinction of being a successful pianist and a politician. Born in 1860 in a small Russian village, Paderewski enrolled in the Warsaw Conservatory in Poland at age 12. Soon after graduating, Paderewski traveled to Berlin, Germany, to study music composition. In 1884, he moved to Vienna, Austria, where he gained popularity for his brilliant piano performances.
Also a fervent patriot, Paderewski was active in the Polish National Committee during World War I. In fact, Paderewski was the Polish Prime Minister, and he signed the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 that officially ended the war. By 1922, he retired from politics and devoted his life to music.
Paderewski toured the United States, performing at famous venues including Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, and even the University of Wisconsin Stock Pavilion. Paderewski’s Stock Pavilion concert was held in 1928 for a capacity crowd.
According to an oral history given by former Wisconsin Union director Porter Butts, the Paderewski performance was held in the Stock Pavilion because at that time, the building offered the best acoustics on campus. The Wisconsin Union Theater was just being built that year, and many other concerts were held in the Memorial Union’s Great Hall or in Music Hall. However, the acoustics of those auditoriums were not favorable to a concert pianist, which is why the performance was held at the Stock Pavilion.
Mark Luetkehoelter MA’92 asks Abe: “Do the statues of the young soldier (inscription "1861–1865") and the older soldier (wearing a service medal with the date 1912) that were added to the Camp Randall Arch have names?”
Answer: Well, you’re asking the right U.S. President about the Camp Randall Memorial Arch. I governed our nation during one of its most turbulent times: the Civil War. At that time, Camp Randall was not a football stadium — it was a training camp for 70,000 Wisconsin troops, representing nearly all of the state’s military might.
Named for Gov. Alexander W. Randall, the encampment also served as a stockade and hospital for 1,400 Confederate soldiers captured at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. Many of them died at Camp Randall and were buried at “soldiers’ rest” at a cemetery on Madison’s west side — the northernmost Confederate cemetery in the United States. Union soldiers who died at Camp Randall are also buried at soldiers’ rest, in a separate section of the cemetery.
The Camp Randall Memorial Arch on Monroe Street was dedicated in 1912, and it serves as the entrance to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Park. It’s also the entrance to Camp Randall Stadium for the UW Marching Band on football Saturdays.
The two statues that flank the arch — an enlisted solider and an officer — do not have names, because they represent all of Wisconsin’s Civil War soldiers. The “1912” inscription on the officer’s pedestal refers to the dedication date of the arch, and the “1861–1865” inscription on the enlisted soldier’s pedestal marks the years our country fought the Civil War.
Answer: Well, you’re asking the right U.S. President about the Camp Randall Memorial Arch. I governed our nation during one of its most turbulent times: the Civil War. At that time, Camp Randall was not a football stadium — it was a training camp for 70,000 Wisconsin troops, representing nearly all of the state’s military might.
Named for Gov. Alexander W. Randall, the encampment also served as a stockade and hospital for 1,400 Confederate soldiers captured at the Battle of Shiloh in 1862. Many of them died at Camp Randall and were buried at “soldiers’ rest” at a cemetery on Madison’s west side — the northernmost Confederate cemetery in the United States. Union soldiers who died at Camp Randall are also buried at soldiers’ rest, in a separate section of the cemetery.
The Camp Randall Memorial Arch on Monroe Street was dedicated in 1912, and it serves as the entrance to the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Park. It’s also the entrance to Camp Randall Stadium for the UW Marching Band on football Saturdays.
The two statues that flank the arch — an enlisted solider and an officer — do not have names, because they represent all of Wisconsin’s Civil War soldiers. The “1912” inscription on the officer’s pedestal refers to the dedication date of the arch, and the “1861–1865” inscription on the enlisted soldier’s pedestal marks the years our country fought the Civil War.
Lee Rasmussen ’73 asks Abe: “Is the University Book Store owned by the university or somehow affiliated? I recall that Brown’s Book Store was private.”
Answer: The University Book Store is a private cooperative, and receives no funding from the UW or the state of Wisconsin. Generations of Badgers have purchased textbooks, notebooks and Badger gear at the University Book Store. Although it is independent from the UW, the University Book Store provides the majority of required reading materials to students.
When it first opened for business in 1894, the store was called the University Co-Op and was located on the 400 block of State Street. In 1972, the University Book Store moved to its present site on the corner of Lake and State streets. In 1992, the University Book Store purchased Brown’s Book Store, which was just across the street, and set up its Digital Outpost there to sell electronics and computer accessories. Today, the University Book Store has a few other locations — at Union South, Hilldale Mall, Janesville Mall and the Health Sciences Learning Center.
Answer: The University Book Store is a private cooperative, and receives no funding from the UW or the state of Wisconsin. Generations of Badgers have purchased textbooks, notebooks and Badger gear at the University Book Store. Although it is independent from the UW, the University Book Store provides the majority of required reading materials to students.
When it first opened for business in 1894, the store was called the University Co-Op and was located on the 400 block of State Street. In 1972, the University Book Store moved to its present site on the corner of Lake and State streets. In 1992, the University Book Store purchased Brown’s Book Store, which was just across the street, and set up its Digital Outpost there to sell electronics and computer accessories. Today, the University Book Store has a few other locations — at Union South, Hilldale Mall, Janesville Mall and the Health Sciences Learning Center.
Donald Delwiche ’54 asks Abe: “During my years as a student at UW-Madison from 1949 to 1954, I often walked from the Kronshage dorms to Picnic Point, and I remember a cordoned-off area where a farm animal that died of anthrax poisoning was supposedly buried. Does this area still exist, and what was the story behind the burial?”
Answer: These days, most people associate anthrax with bioterrorism, but a century ago the insidious bacteria was the source of an infectious outbreak in the UW’s dairy herd.
On the morning of Aug. 15, 1909, a herder found a dead cow on the university farm’s pasture. At first a lightning strike was suspected, as there had been a violent storm the night before, but it was later confirmed that the cow had contracted anthrax, which can be lethal to humans and animals. To protect the public health, the cow’s carcass was immediately burned, and a quarantine was placed on the herd and the farm. Sales of milk and cream from the University Dairy were halted and signs were posted to warn locals that anthrax had been found on campus.
In the months following the initial discovery, the university’s cows and swine continued to perish. These infected animals had to be disposed of safely, so a crematorium was constructed in 1910 on Herrick Drive, on the site that now houses the Carrot and Beet Lab. Infected animals that were not cremated were buried near Picnic Point, and the site became contaminated.
Experts say there’s no need for Badgers to panic — the UW site does not pose a public health threat. Anthrax spores can survive for decades in the soil, but they aren’t likely to survive in the UW site’s damp conditions, and the contagion does not spread through ground water. The exact location of the burial ground has never been determined, although there is a large grassy area near Picnic Point that is not to be disturbed even today.
Answer: These days, most people associate anthrax with bioterrorism, but a century ago the insidious bacteria was the source of an infectious outbreak in the UW’s dairy herd.
On the morning of Aug. 15, 1909, a herder found a dead cow on the university farm’s pasture. At first a lightning strike was suspected, as there had been a violent storm the night before, but it was later confirmed that the cow had contracted anthrax, which can be lethal to humans and animals. To protect the public health, the cow’s carcass was immediately burned, and a quarantine was placed on the herd and the farm. Sales of milk and cream from the University Dairy were halted and signs were posted to warn locals that anthrax had been found on campus.
In the months following the initial discovery, the university’s cows and swine continued to perish. These infected animals had to be disposed of safely, so a crematorium was constructed in 1910 on Herrick Drive, on the site that now houses the Carrot and Beet Lab. Infected animals that were not cremated were buried near Picnic Point, and the site became contaminated.
Experts say there’s no need for Badgers to panic — the UW site does not pose a public health threat. Anthrax spores can survive for decades in the soil, but they aren’t likely to survive in the UW site’s damp conditions, and the contagion does not spread through ground water. The exact location of the burial ground has never been determined, although there is a large grassy area near Picnic Point that is not to be disturbed even today.
Marilyn Lucas Ross ’48 asks Abe: “What is the story behind Kiekhofer’s Wall, which was on Langdon Street across from the old Red Gym? When did the painting begin and when was the wall finally torn down?”
Answer: The 120-foot-long Kiekhofer Wall, built in 1884 on the 600 block of Langdon Street, was used as an informal student bulletin board. Covered with layers upon layers of paint advertising countless campus events, the Kiekhofer Wall was a campus landmark for decades until it was finally destroyed in the summer of 1946 to make room for the Jewish Student Community Center. The wall was named for famed Economics Professor William “Wild Bill” Kiekhofer, who owned the land where the wall stood.
Answer: The 120-foot-long Kiekhofer Wall, built in 1884 on the 600 block of Langdon Street, was used as an informal student bulletin board. Covered with layers upon layers of paint advertising countless campus events, the Kiekhofer Wall was a campus landmark for decades until it was finally destroyed in the summer of 1946 to make room for the Jewish Student Community Center. The wall was named for famed Economics Professor William “Wild Bill” Kiekhofer, who owned the land where the wall stood.
Laura Graf ’87, ’01 asks Abe: “I was walking by the lakeshore dorms and noticed construction crews taking down a lot of trees and brush. What’s going on?”
Answer: Anyone walking by the lakeshore residence halls will be surprised by how open its adjacent woodland now appears. Part of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve’s project list in summer 2007, a student restoration team helped clear out a large portion of the woody invasive species that once dominated the area and replant the hillside with native species to stabilize the soil.
Nearby parking Lot 34 is also getting an eco-friendly upgrade to fight erosion. Workers removed the lot’s old and deteriorating asphalt surface, concrete curbing and lighting. Three-quarters of the lot is now covered with conventional asphalt and the remaining one-fourth is covered with porous asphalt that will allow storm water to infiltrate the new surface. New curbs and gutters will channel remaining storm water into a bioretention basin that operates much like a large rain garden. It contains deep-rooted native plants that can help soak up the rainwater, reducing runoff and erosion problems. A few nonnative trees were removed to make way for the rain garden area, but several large oaks were saved and protected during the construction. The Wisconsin departments of Natural Resources and Transportation Services funded the project.
Learn more about the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.
Answer: Anyone walking by the lakeshore residence halls will be surprised by how open its adjacent woodland now appears. Part of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve’s project list in summer 2007, a student restoration team helped clear out a large portion of the woody invasive species that once dominated the area and replant the hillside with native species to stabilize the soil.
Nearby parking Lot 34 is also getting an eco-friendly upgrade to fight erosion. Workers removed the lot’s old and deteriorating asphalt surface, concrete curbing and lighting. Three-quarters of the lot is now covered with conventional asphalt and the remaining one-fourth is covered with porous asphalt that will allow storm water to infiltrate the new surface. New curbs and gutters will channel remaining storm water into a bioretention basin that operates much like a large rain garden. It contains deep-rooted native plants that can help soak up the rainwater, reducing runoff and erosion problems. A few nonnative trees were removed to make way for the rain garden area, but several large oaks were saved and protected during the construction. The Wisconsin departments of Natural Resources and Transportation Services funded the project.
Learn more about the Lakeshore Nature Preserve.
Susan Pommer ’87 asks Abe: “On a recent visit to Madison, I noted the beloved Bucky clock, which stood for decades on the old building at the corner of Park Street and University Avenue, is gone, along with the building! When the newest addition to the business school is complete, will the Bucky clock return?”
Answer: The Bucky clock you mentioned has been a longtime campus landmark. UW-Madison had two such clocks made in the 1950s. One, featuring Bucky with revolving arms pointing to the time, was displayed for decades on the old bank building at 905 University Avenue. Although that building was demolished to make room for an expansion to Grainger Hall, the clock was saved. You can now see it at the UW’s new Welcome Center at 21 N. Park Street. The other Bucky clock is currently being restored and will be displayed at the new University Square once construction is finished.
Answer: The Bucky clock you mentioned has been a longtime campus landmark. UW-Madison had two such clocks made in the 1950s. One, featuring Bucky with revolving arms pointing to the time, was displayed for decades on the old bank building at 905 University Avenue. Although that building was demolished to make room for an expansion to Grainger Hall, the clock was saved. You can now see it at the UW’s new Welcome Center at 21 N. Park Street. The other Bucky clock is currently being restored and will be displayed at the new University Square once construction is finished.
Keith Gillette ’95 asks Abe: “As an undergraduate, I lived in Detling House in Sellery Hall from 1990 to 1993, when Detling was affiliated with the College of Letters & Science Honors Program. I’ve made lifelong friends from Detling House. What can you tell us about our patron matron, Minnie Riess Detling? We know she got her bachelor’s from L&S in 1905 and that the Department of Neurology has a Minnie Detling Professor of Neurology. When was she born? What contributions did she make to the UW?
Answer: The namesake of Detling Hall, Minnie Margaret Riess Detling, 1881–1952, held an unwavering belief in the promise of higher education at Wisconsin. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of Letters and Science in 1905, with a senior thesis entitled “Realistic Tendencies in Anzengruber’s Dramas.” After graduation, she returned to her hometown of Sheboygan to help her husband, John Detling LLB’05, run the Vollrath Company, a manufacturer of stainless steel and aluminum products for the foodservice industry.
Answer: The namesake of Detling Hall, Minnie Margaret Riess Detling, 1881–1952, held an unwavering belief in the promise of higher education at Wisconsin. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of Letters and Science in 1905, with a senior thesis entitled “Realistic Tendencies in Anzengruber’s Dramas.” After graduation, she returned to her hometown of Sheboygan to help her husband, John Detling LLB’05, run the Vollrath Company, a manufacturer of stainless steel and aluminum products for the foodservice industry.
Minnie Detling was a lifetime member of the American Association of University Women, serving as the first president of the Sheboygan chapter from 1922 to 1925, and later as chair of the A.A.U.W. state fellowship committee. In 1950, the association established an international study grant in honor of her longstanding leadership.
Minnie Detling died on Aug. 13, 1952, at age 71. The following year, the university received $850,000 from her estate, one of the four largest gifts it had received to that time. Earmarked for post-graduate fellowships and scholarships for “needy and worthy” high school students, Detling also asked that a portion of the fund be used for medical research in amyotropic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gerhig’s disease, the cause of her husband’s death in 1948.
Dedicated in April 1966, Minnie Detling House “honors a devoted daughter of Wisconsin and reminds those who pause here of her faith in public education.”
Minnie Detling died on Aug. 13, 1952, at age 71. The following year, the university received $850,000 from her estate, one of the four largest gifts it had received to that time. Earmarked for post-graduate fellowships and scholarships for “needy and worthy” high school students, Detling also asked that a portion of the fund be used for medical research in amyotropic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gerhig’s disease, the cause of her husband’s death in 1948.
Dedicated in April 1966, Minnie Detling House “honors a devoted daughter of Wisconsin and reminds those who pause here of her faith in public education.”
Brant T. Maurer ’96 asks Abe: “You routinely hear how the Kohl Center is renowned for its cantilevered levels, making it an imposing place to play for opposing teams. Also adding to the mystique is the amount of noise supposedly generated by this design. However, I have noticed that the cinder block walls (at least in the third level) in the Kohl Center have vertical slits cut into them, which would seemingly cause more sound to be absorbed into the hollow block than resonate out toward the court. What’s the reason behind this construction? What’s its effect on sound?”
Answer: I know from personal experience it can get loud at the Kohl Center. From my post atop Bascom Hill, I could hear the roar of the crowd when the Badger men’s basketball team beat Illinois in 2003 to win the Big Ten Championship. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in January 2008, the Kohl Center continues to be a winning venue for the Badger hoopsters — its home game record under Bo Ryan is 104-6 (as of Jan. 31, 2008).
The Kohl Center’s cantilevered balconies were unique at the time of construction in 1998, when most arenas were built with a main seating bowl and one large balcony with many rows. At the Kohl Center, the number of balcony rows was roughly divided, creating a shallow first balcony and then stacking the remaining rows above on a second balcony. Similar to the Fieldhouse, this brings more fans closer — and thus, more crowd noise — to the court.
The cinder block you mention is indeed “acoustical block” and is designed to absorb some noise via the insulation in the slots. The underside of the roof, made of perforated acoustical metal deck, also has absorptive properties. Without these features, the reverberation of a certain frequency of sound would be distracting.
Answer: I know from personal experience it can get loud at the Kohl Center. From my post atop Bascom Hill, I could hear the roar of the crowd when the Badger men’s basketball team beat Illinois in 2003 to win the Big Ten Championship. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in January 2008, the Kohl Center continues to be a winning venue for the Badger hoopsters — its home game record under Bo Ryan is 104-6 (as of Jan. 31, 2008).
The Kohl Center’s cantilevered balconies were unique at the time of construction in 1998, when most arenas were built with a main seating bowl and one large balcony with many rows. At the Kohl Center, the number of balcony rows was roughly divided, creating a shallow first balcony and then stacking the remaining rows above on a second balcony. Similar to the Fieldhouse, this brings more fans closer — and thus, more crowd noise — to the court.
The cinder block you mention is indeed “acoustical block” and is designed to absorb some noise via the insulation in the slots. The underside of the roof, made of perforated acoustical metal deck, also has absorptive properties. Without these features, the reverberation of a certain frequency of sound would be distracting.
Keith Gretenhart ’82 asks Abe: “There used to be a large Kentucky Coffeetree in front of E.B. Fred Hall, before the demolition project started. Was it replanted somewhere, or was it cut down?”
Answer: Unfortunately, the tree you recall on the south side of Fred Hall had to be cut down during the building’s demolition in 2004. The Kentucky Coffeetree was originally planted near the horticulture building, and it was transplanted to Fred Hall in the early eighties. My source at the UW’s Department of Facilities Planning and Management says after two decades, the tree was simply too large to be moved again. However, the university planted four new Kentucky Coffeetrees at the nearby Microbial Sciences Building.
Although that grand old Kentucky Coffeetree couldn’t be salvaged, you may be interested to know that the university went to considerable effort to save the huge Swamp White Oak on the corner of Babcock and Linden drives. The university considers the 100-year-old oak to be a heritage tree deserving of special recognition and protection.
Answer: Unfortunately, the tree you recall on the south side of Fred Hall had to be cut down during the building’s demolition in 2004. The Kentucky Coffeetree was originally planted near the horticulture building, and it was transplanted to Fred Hall in the early eighties. My source at the UW’s Department of Facilities Planning and Management says after two decades, the tree was simply too large to be moved again. However, the university planted four new Kentucky Coffeetrees at the nearby Microbial Sciences Building.
Although that grand old Kentucky Coffeetree couldn’t be salvaged, you may be interested to know that the university went to considerable effort to save the huge Swamp White Oak on the corner of Babcock and Linden drives. The university considers the 100-year-old oak to be a heritage tree deserving of special recognition and protection.
Linda Wandt '85 asks Abe: "My friends and I had a minor 'argument' over the color of the Terrace chairs. I claim they have always ONLY been orange, yellow or green. But we saw a watercolor that had blue chairs in it. Other than the oversized chairs you see for fundraisers, have the chairs on the Terrace ever been another color?"
The Terrace by Marcia Friedman
Mary Jesko MS’86 asks Abe: “In 1987 I purchased a poster of the Memorial Union Terrace with the caption, ‘Let us linger here awhile in the foolishness of things. Author unknown.’ in the bottom right corner.
The picture was taken following a rainstorm showing an empty, rain-slick Terrace. I have searched high and low for a replacement but with no luck. Can you help me determine where I can find one?”
Answer: The poster you’re describing can be found at Fine Posters & Prints, 645 State Street in Madison, or online at finepostersmadison.com (under Madison Posters). Snapped by photographer Jerry Capps in 1974, the image was first published in Wisconsin Alumnus Magazine in May 1985. The 24-by-19-inch poster has been a sentimental favorite for years and can be purchased, unframed, for $25.
The picture was taken following a rainstorm showing an empty, rain-slick Terrace. I have searched high and low for a replacement but with no luck. Can you help me determine where I can find one?”
Answer: The poster you’re describing can be found at Fine Posters & Prints, 645 State Street in Madison, or online at finepostersmadison.com (under Madison Posters). Snapped by photographer Jerry Capps in 1974, the image was first published in Wisconsin Alumnus Magazine in May 1985. The 24-by-19-inch poster has been a sentimental favorite for years and can be purchased, unframed, for $25.
Dennis Sullivan ’75, JD’80 asks Abe: “The question about films shot on the UW-Madison campus reminded me of a scene from Annie Hall in which Woody Allen is doing a stand-up routine on what appears to be the stage at the Memorial Union. Is that in fact the Union stage?”
Answer: Annie Hall character Alvy Singer might’ve entertained a UW-Madison audience, but it seems Woody Allen never did. He is not listed among the many artists who have performed at the Union Theater over the decades.
The scene you’re remembering takes place when the neurotic comedian is on a campus tour and stops in Wisconsin to visit Annie Hall’s family in Chippewa Falls. If you look closely, you’ll see that the stage on which Alvy performs and the curtain in front of which he stands do not appear to be in the Union Theater.
Annie Hall was released in 1977. Written by Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman ’61, the screenplay goes like this:
Answer: Annie Hall character Alvy Singer might’ve entertained a UW-Madison audience, but it seems Woody Allen never did. He is not listed among the many artists who have performed at the Union Theater over the decades.
The scene you’re remembering takes place when the neurotic comedian is on a campus tour and stops in Wisconsin to visit Annie Hall’s family in Chippewa Falls. If you look closely, you’ll see that the stage on which Alvy performs and the curtain in front of which he stands do not appear to be in the Union Theater.
Annie Hall was released in 1977. Written by Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman ’61, the screenplay goes like this:
The darkened auditorium is filled with college students applauding and cheering, excited, as Alvy stands on spotlighted stage holding the microphone.
ALVY
(Gesturing)
W-where am I? I-I keep ... I have to
reorient myself. This is the University
of Wisconsin, right? So I’m always ...
I’m tense and ... uh, when I’m playin’ a
col- I’ve a very bad history with colleges.
You know, I went to New York University and,
uh, tsch, I was thrown out of NYU my freshman year ...
for cheating on my metaphysics final.
You know, I looked within the soul of the
boy sitting next to me —
(The audience laughs; they're with him)
— and when I was thrown out, my mother,
who’s an emotionally high-strung woman,
locked herself in the bathroom and took an
overdose of mah-jongg tiles.
(Gesturing)
W-where am I? I-I keep ... I have to
reorient myself. This is the University
of Wisconsin, right? So I’m always ...
I’m tense and ... uh, when I’m playin’ a
col- I’ve a very bad history with colleges.
You know, I went to New York University and,
uh, tsch, I was thrown out of NYU my freshman year ...
for cheating on my metaphysics final.
You know, I looked within the soul of the
boy sitting next to me —
(The audience laughs; they're with him)
— and when I was thrown out, my mother,
who’s an emotionally high-strung woman,
locked herself in the bathroom and took an
overdose of mah-jongg tiles.
It’s not uncommon for film producers to pass off one location for another. For example, scenes in the upcoming film Public Enemies (2009), starring Johnny Depp as John Dillinger, were shot at the Madison Capitol, standing in for the U.S. Capitol.
Sandra Guthrie MBA’91 asks Abe: “I have a few questions about the steins in the Rathskeller: what is their history, how long have they been there and did they belong to students or are they just decorative objects?”
Answer: Beer steins have had a home at the Memorial Union since Der Stiftskeller, or “cellar of the founders,” opened in 1962 to relieve the overly crowded Rathskeller. Gifts from former Union committee chairs and officers, the original steins were displayed on a stein rail installed around the room’s perimeter.
Adding to the Stiftskeller ambiance is a striking mural by the late Kurt Schaldach, a German painter then living in Milwaukee. Battle between Beer and Wine depicts an army of beer steins streaming out of a town to assault a contingent of gnomes, employing wine and champagne bottles with cork cannonballs to defend their Rhine Valley castle. The mural’s description reads: “When wine and bier make war on each other, who will win, who will lose?”
In the late 1990s, a UW graduate donated a portion of his beer stein collection to the UW Foundation. To properly house the collection, a special display case was constructed in the southwest corner archway of Der Rathskeller, creating a European-style tavern décor for Union visitors.
Answer: Beer steins have had a home at the Memorial Union since Der Stiftskeller, or “cellar of the founders,” opened in 1962 to relieve the overly crowded Rathskeller. Gifts from former Union committee chairs and officers, the original steins were displayed on a stein rail installed around the room’s perimeter.
Adding to the Stiftskeller ambiance is a striking mural by the late Kurt Schaldach, a German painter then living in Milwaukee. Battle between Beer and Wine depicts an army of beer steins streaming out of a town to assault a contingent of gnomes, employing wine and champagne bottles with cork cannonballs to defend their Rhine Valley castle. The mural’s description reads: “When wine and bier make war on each other, who will win, who will lose?”
In the late 1990s, a UW graduate donated a portion of his beer stein collection to the UW Foundation. To properly house the collection, a special display case was constructed in the southwest corner archway of Der Rathskeller, creating a European-style tavern décor for Union visitors.
Kelley Flury ’88 asks Abe: “After reading about the kid who stole a table from Memorial Union recently, I am wondering: how does the Union prevent people from stealing the sunburst chairs on the Terrace?”
Answer: One of the most recognized symbols in Madison, the sunburst-patterned chairs on the Terrace have been enjoyed by generations of UW students, faculty and staff, Union members and the public. The Union relies on members of the campus, Madison and surrounding communities to let them know if green, orange or yellow Terrace chairs are where they shouldn't be so they can contact UW Police. As far as prevention, all Terrace furniture is inventoried biannually and engraved with a unique identifier. For those who may be tempted to acquire the tables and chairs less honestly, the Union has cameras on the Terrace.
The colorful metal furniture is stored at a warehouse during winter and brought back out in mid-April, depending on the weather. While in storage, approximately one-quarter of the inventory is repainted so it’s ready for another summer on the Terrace.
Answer: One of the most recognized symbols in Madison, the sunburst-patterned chairs on the Terrace have been enjoyed by generations of UW students, faculty and staff, Union members and the public. The Union relies on members of the campus, Madison and surrounding communities to let them know if green, orange or yellow Terrace chairs are where they shouldn't be so they can contact UW Police. As far as prevention, all Terrace furniture is inventoried biannually and engraved with a unique identifier. For those who may be tempted to acquire the tables and chairs less honestly, the Union has cameras on the Terrace.
The colorful metal furniture is stored at a warehouse during winter and brought back out in mid-April, depending on the weather. While in storage, approximately one-quarter of the inventory is repainted so it’s ready for another summer on the Terrace.
Richard Tetzlaff ’79 asks Abe: “At a recent holiday gathering in non-Badger Big Ten Country (Happy Valley), a question was put forth to which not even I had an answer! So I promised to ask the only source of greater knowledge than my own of the great UW-Madison … ABE! Who is the Randall in Camp Randall? Thank you, Oh Wise One, for enlightening your humble MadGrad history buff.”
Answer: Camp Randall Stadium is named after Alexander Williams Randall, a lawyer, judge and politician from Wisconsin. Randall served as governor from 1858 to 1861, and was known for his vigorous recruiting and organizing of the first Wisconsin volunteer troops for the Union Army during the American Civil War. More than 70,000 troops received military training at Camp Randall, land previously owned by the Wisconsin Agricultural Society and the site of its annual state fair.
Yours truly (President Abraham Lincoln) appointed Randall as U.S. Minister to the Vatican in 1861, and several years later, President Andrew Johnson appointed him U.S. Postmaster General. He died in 1872 at age 52.
Answer: Camp Randall Stadium is named after Alexander Williams Randall, a lawyer, judge and politician from Wisconsin. Randall served as governor from 1858 to 1861, and was known for his vigorous recruiting and organizing of the first Wisconsin volunteer troops for the Union Army during the American Civil War. More than 70,000 troops received military training at Camp Randall, land previously owned by the Wisconsin Agricultural Society and the site of its annual state fair.
Yours truly (President Abraham Lincoln) appointed Randall as U.S. Minister to the Vatican in 1861, and several years later, President Andrew Johnson appointed him U.S. Postmaster General. He died in 1872 at age 52.
Bharat Kanodia ’00 asks Abe: “I was a resident of Ogg from 1996 to 1998, and would like to be there for its demolition. Do you know when the demolition is scheduled?”
Answer: After clinging to life longer than expected, the original Ogg Hall’s notorious run has finally come to an end. The demolition of the beloved campus landmark began in fall 2007, and hit a snag when the university had to hire another contractor to finish the job. The old site is currently being restored and the new Ogg Hall, located right across Dayton Street, remains a popular residential housing choice among students.
If you’re feeling nostalgic, a visit to the Ogg Blog might help. Since its creation in 2006, hundreds have logged in to share their fond memories and experiences in Ogg. If you’re looking for something more concrete, you can now buy a piece of the legend. After numerous requests, University Housing Director Paul Evans had demolition crews set aside about 200 bricks. Hurry and get yours while they last. Each brick is packaged in a keepsake box and includes copies of the Ogg Hall Dedication Book and History of Housing.
Answer: After clinging to life longer than expected, the original Ogg Hall’s notorious run has finally come to an end. The demolition of the beloved campus landmark began in fall 2007, and hit a snag when the university had to hire another contractor to finish the job. The old site is currently being restored and the new Ogg Hall, located right across Dayton Street, remains a popular residential housing choice among students.
If you’re feeling nostalgic, a visit to the Ogg Blog might help. Since its creation in 2006, hundreds have logged in to share their fond memories and experiences in Ogg. If you’re looking for something more concrete, you can now buy a piece of the legend. After numerous requests, University Housing Director Paul Evans had demolition crews set aside about 200 bricks. Hurry and get yours while they last. Each brick is packaged in a keepsake box and includes copies of the Ogg Hall Dedication Book and History of Housing.
Joshua Spiegelhoff ’98 and Joan Bahr ’83 both questioned an entry on their UW calendar. Joan asks Abe: “I have a theme day-by-day calendar that lists facts and trivia about UW-Madison. The ‘fact’ for Monday, Feb. 23, 2009, says, ‘Only seven buildings survived the Union troops’ burning of the campus in 1865.’ Can you tell me more about this event?”
Answer: Your calendar’s publisher appears to be geographically challenged. Union troops burned down the University of Alabama campus in April 1865, during the American Civil War. Only seven buildings survived the burning, including the president’s mansion. Frances Louisa Garland, wife of President Landon C. Garland, saved the home from destruction when she demanded the soldiers put out the flames in its path. Ironically, it was her husband’s involvement in the war that might well have put the campus in danger. After years of lobbying the Legislature to transform the university into a military school, Garland was authorized to start training troops for the Confederacy in 1860. After the fire and a year of trying to rebuild the campus, Garland accepted a position at the University of Mississippi in 1867. The University of Alabama reopened in 1871.
Your alma mater had its official beginnings when Wisconsin was incorporated as a state in 1848. North Hall was the first building constructed on campus in 1851, followed by South Hall in 1855 and Bascom Hall in 1859, along with a few private residences. Bascom’s dome was later destroyed by a fire, but not at the hands of Union troops. In fact, a number of Badgers served in the Union Army while just a few joined the Southern cause. One report found that of 50 graduates up to 1864, 28 had joined the Union and several hundred with some connection to the university had entered the army.
Answer: Your calendar’s publisher appears to be geographically challenged. Union troops burned down the University of Alabama campus in April 1865, during the American Civil War. Only seven buildings survived the burning, including the president’s mansion. Frances Louisa Garland, wife of President Landon C. Garland, saved the home from destruction when she demanded the soldiers put out the flames in its path. Ironically, it was her husband’s involvement in the war that might well have put the campus in danger. After years of lobbying the Legislature to transform the university into a military school, Garland was authorized to start training troops for the Confederacy in 1860. After the fire and a year of trying to rebuild the campus, Garland accepted a position at the University of Mississippi in 1867. The University of Alabama reopened in 1871.
Your alma mater had its official beginnings when Wisconsin was incorporated as a state in 1848. North Hall was the first building constructed on campus in 1851, followed by South Hall in 1855 and Bascom Hall in 1859, along with a few private residences. Bascom’s dome was later destroyed by a fire, but not at the hands of Union troops. In fact, a number of Badgers served in the Union Army while just a few joined the Southern cause. One report found that of 50 graduates up to 1864, 28 had joined the Union and several hundred with some connection to the university had entered the army.
Sue Atwell ’68 asks Abe: “I was a bystander at the Dow Riots of Oct. 18, 1967. I am writing a memoir of that day. I distinctly remember some sort of memorial plaque, east of the entrances to Social Sciences (in the woods near the north path to the building) that was a mention of Black Hawk leading a band of Sauk Indians through the area and mention of a battle thereabouts. Is the plaque still there? Am I making this up? I don't think so! Please let me know, it will be a great addition if I can find out. I have already searched state and federal markers in Wisconsin and can’t find any mention of it or the inscription.”
Answer: You can include this piece of history in your memoir, Sue. The memorial plaque is located where you remember it, near the entrance to the Social Sciences Building (renamed in 2006 for the late sociology scholar and former UW Chancellor William H. Sewell) on Observatory Drive near the Carillon Tower. Mounted on a natural stone monument, the plaque’s inscription reads: “Black Hawk, Sauk Chief. Retreated through these grounds July 21, 1832, pursued by militia and U.S. regulars. Placed by the Class of 1888 U.W., June 17, 1913.”
Answer: You can include this piece of history in your memoir, Sue. The memorial plaque is located where you remember it, near the entrance to the Social Sciences Building (renamed in 2006 for the late sociology scholar and former UW Chancellor William H. Sewell) on Observatory Drive near the Carillon Tower. Mounted on a natural stone monument, the plaque’s inscription reads: “Black Hawk, Sauk Chief. Retreated through these grounds July 21, 1832, pursued by militia and U.S. regulars. Placed by the Class of 1888 U.W., June 17, 1913.”
Black Hawk memorial on UW campus
Your experience near the plaque’s site, 135 years later, was also a pivotal time in Wisconsin’s history. On Oct. 18, 1967, a peaceful sit-in against Dow Chemical, the makers of napalm used by U.S. forces against guerillas and civilians in Vietnam, prompted a police assault on student protesters. “Dow Day” led to a rapid change in the political atmosphere on campus, moving Madison into the national forefront of anti-war and anti-draft student activism.
Kayla Hunt ’09 asks Abe: “I was reading some of your past answers to questions, and you often mention the Campus Master Plan. I was wondering what exactly this is and if there is any way that the public can view the plan?”
Answer: I’m always pleased to see new grads like you, Kayla, take an interest in the past and future of your great alma mater. During the past century, the university has written a series of master plans to shape the campus, some of which were followed, others abandoned. The most recent plan, drafted in 2005, is a document that defines the principles by which the physical spaces of campus are organized. With so much new development under way, this plan may turn out to be one of the most influential in campus history. The plan includes revitalizing the East Campus Mall and the West Campus areas, and creating the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, among other endeavors. You can read more and view plan drawings online.
Answer: I’m always pleased to see new grads like you, Kayla, take an interest in the past and future of your great alma mater. During the past century, the university has written a series of master plans to shape the campus, some of which were followed, others abandoned. The most recent plan, drafted in 2005, is a document that defines the principles by which the physical spaces of campus are organized. With so much new development under way, this plan may turn out to be one of the most influential in campus history. The plan includes revitalizing the East Campus Mall and the West Campus areas, and creating the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, among other endeavors. You can read more and view plan drawings online.
Kate Duchelle ’81 asks Abe: “Can you tell me who painted the various murals in the Rathskeller and Stiftskeller?”
Answer: Eugene Hausler and Kurt Schaldach created the evocative European-style murals in the Memorial Union’s Rathskeller and Stiftskeller. An artist trained in Germany, Hausler started painting the Rathskeller’s bare walls in 1927 with input from Leon Pescheret, the Union’s French-born interior designer. Five decades later, Schaldach, a German painter living in Milwaukee, was commissioned to design and paint the murals in the Stiftskeller and to perform the first-ever restoration of the Rathskeller murals. Among his most memorable creations is the Stiftskeller’s Battle between Beer and Wine.
You’ll be happy to hear that the university is committed to preserving the historic nature and ambiance of Memorial Union during its upcoming renovation. When surveyed, students indicated that the murals, architecture, light fixtures and tables in the Rathskeller, Great Hall, Tripp Commons and other areas give the Union its personality and continue to resonate with alumni.
Answer: Eugene Hausler and Kurt Schaldach created the evocative European-style murals in the Memorial Union’s Rathskeller and Stiftskeller. An artist trained in Germany, Hausler started painting the Rathskeller’s bare walls in 1927 with input from Leon Pescheret, the Union’s French-born interior designer. Five decades later, Schaldach, a German painter living in Milwaukee, was commissioned to design and paint the murals in the Stiftskeller and to perform the first-ever restoration of the Rathskeller murals. Among his most memorable creations is the Stiftskeller’s Battle between Beer and Wine.
You’ll be happy to hear that the university is committed to preserving the historic nature and ambiance of Memorial Union during its upcoming renovation. When surveyed, students indicated that the murals, architecture, light fixtures and tables in the Rathskeller, Great Hall, Tripp Commons and other areas give the Union its personality and continue to resonate with alumni.
David Smukowski ’78 asks Abe: “I remember the Memorial Union Terrace chairs as star-patterned, but using ‘spring steel’ that yielded to create a relatively soft surface. I have a 30-year-old T-shirt with a picture on it that seems to collaborate with my memory. The current chairs seem to be cheap replicas that have flat seats, and are hard. Is my memory of 30 years ago flawed? What happened to the real chairs?”
Answer: Our beloved Terrace has seen its share of chair designs, all of which have had to answer to one ruthless and unforgiving critic: Wisconsin weather.
If you want to know what happened to the “real” Terrace chairs, we’re going to have to go all the way back to the Union’s official opening on October 5, 1928, when hickory chairs lined the shore of Lake Mendota. While a popular style at the time, these wooden apparatuses were unable to tolerate the harsh Wisconsin winters.
Answer: Our beloved Terrace has seen its share of chair designs, all of which have had to answer to one ruthless and unforgiving critic: Wisconsin weather.
If you want to know what happened to the “real” Terrace chairs, we’re going to have to go all the way back to the Union’s official opening on October 5, 1928, when hickory chairs lined the shore of Lake Mendota. While a popular style at the time, these wooden apparatuses were unable to tolerate the harsh Wisconsin winters.
Several styles of chairs were tried (and failed) in the 1970s, until Wisco Industries of Oregon, Wisconsin, was contracted in 1981 to produce the current stamped metal sunburst style. It remains a popular choice for its durability and its ability to stay relatively level on the uneven stones that pave the Terrace, due to the partial hoop connecting the legs. Most chairs made today last for 20 years or longer, and are repainted the signature yellow, “John Deere” green or “Allis Chalmers” orange approximately every five years.
Bob Schuster ’55 asks Abe: “How do you pronounce carillon? A neighbor, in describing my mother-in-law’s bell in the local church tower, pronounces it caril-on, but I told her the right pronunciation from my days at Madison was to twirl the two Ls, as in carillion. Who’s right?”
Answer: According to the Oxford English Dictionary, you should indeed roll your L when you say carillon — if you pronounce the L at all. Carillon is originally a French word, and the French (who dislike letters of all kinds) pronounce it kuh-REE-yaw, nasalizing the last syllable and dropping the N. But we English speakers like to pronounce all our letters (damn right, we do!), so in English, it’s more often said KAR-ill-yon or kuh-RILL-yun. It’s also occasionally pronounced “bell-tower,” but never KAR-ill-on.
Answer: According to the Oxford English Dictionary, you should indeed roll your L when you say carillon — if you pronounce the L at all. Carillon is originally a French word, and the French (who dislike letters of all kinds) pronounce it kuh-REE-yaw, nasalizing the last syllable and dropping the N. But we English speakers like to pronounce all our letters (damn right, we do!), so in English, it’s more often said KAR-ill-yon or kuh-RILL-yun. It’s also occasionally pronounced “bell-tower,” but never KAR-ill-on.
Susan Weiser Wegner ’69, MS’73 asks Abe: “Before attending UW-Madison, I graduated from the University of Wisconsin High School on campus in 1964. Can you please tell me what happened to that school and how I might get more information about it?”
Answer: Yours was the 53rd and final class to graduate from University of Wisconsin High School before it was merged with Madison’s Central High School, the oldest secondary school in Madison, and renamed Central University High School. As you’d suspect, the former rivals didn’t blend without some bumps and bruises. A member of Wisconsin High’s 1923 state basketball championship team said it would be a sacrilege for their athletic trophies to grace the halls of Central High School, “our bitter rival. Better to melt them for scrap or drop them in Lake Mendota.”
Your alma mater was founded in 1880 as a nonsectarian private school, located on the corner of Fairchild and Mifflin streets. After several name changes, the Wisconsin Academy moved to State and Gilman streets in 1890, with the aim of providing students with a practical business education and preparing them for the state university. Over the next 20 years, the school grew rapidly and in 1911, the UW Board of Regents purchased its rights and equipment for an impressive sum of $1,000 and renamed it Wisconsin High School of the University of Wisconsin. From the beginning, Wisconsin High School was a leader in secondary education, known for encouraging students to make choices, explore areas of interest and take accountability for their actions.
You can find a brief history, plus newspaper articles, school songs, photos, videos and class links at www.wisconsinhigh.org.
Answer: Yours was the 53rd and final class to graduate from University of Wisconsin High School before it was merged with Madison’s Central High School, the oldest secondary school in Madison, and renamed Central University High School. As you’d suspect, the former rivals didn’t blend without some bumps and bruises. A member of Wisconsin High’s 1923 state basketball championship team said it would be a sacrilege for their athletic trophies to grace the halls of Central High School, “our bitter rival. Better to melt them for scrap or drop them in Lake Mendota.”
Your alma mater was founded in 1880 as a nonsectarian private school, located on the corner of Fairchild and Mifflin streets. After several name changes, the Wisconsin Academy moved to State and Gilman streets in 1890, with the aim of providing students with a practical business education and preparing them for the state university. Over the next 20 years, the school grew rapidly and in 1911, the UW Board of Regents purchased its rights and equipment for an impressive sum of $1,000 and renamed it Wisconsin High School of the University of Wisconsin. From the beginning, Wisconsin High School was a leader in secondary education, known for encouraging students to make choices, explore areas of interest and take accountability for their actions.
You can find a brief history, plus newspaper articles, school songs, photos, videos and class links at www.wisconsinhigh.org.
Dick Finke ’52 asks Abe: “I swam in the old armory pool from 1948 to 1952 and we had to swim in the nude. Was that because of the polio scare, or some other reason?”
Answer: Concerns about exposure to polio were the impetus behind the university’s nude-swimming rule for male students. The Red Gym’s showers were also stocked with a strong soap to prevent the spread of germs. The other reason had more (or less, depending on your perspective) to do with plumbing. Residue from the cotton swimsuits of the time had a tendency to clog the pool’s sand and gravel filtration system, much to the irritation of university plumbers who filled the 20 by 60-foot pool with Lake Mendota “clear blue” water.
Tough economic times during the 1950s made it difficult for some students to cover the bare necessities. A UW towel cost 60 cents, though swimmers netted free laundry service — a bargain considering thousands of students learned how to swim at a university surrounded by water.
Male students continued to swim in the buff until 1967, when some unfettered females joined them for an equal opportunity lap swim. From then on, all swimmers, male and female, wore swimsuits at the Red Gym, the NAT and the SERF.
Answer: Concerns about exposure to polio were the impetus behind the university’s nude-swimming rule for male students. The Red Gym’s showers were also stocked with a strong soap to prevent the spread of germs. The other reason had more (or less, depending on your perspective) to do with plumbing. Residue from the cotton swimsuits of the time had a tendency to clog the pool’s sand and gravel filtration system, much to the irritation of university plumbers who filled the 20 by 60-foot pool with Lake Mendota “clear blue” water.
Tough economic times during the 1950s made it difficult for some students to cover the bare necessities. A UW towel cost 60 cents, though swimmers netted free laundry service — a bargain considering thousands of students learned how to swim at a university surrounded by water.
Male students continued to swim in the buff until 1967, when some unfettered females joined them for an equal opportunity lap swim. From then on, all swimmers, male and female, wore swimsuits at the Red Gym, the NAT and the SERF.
Curious alum asks Abe: “In the Memorial Union’s Rathskeller there is a large wood wall piece — I believe it is the end of a wooden barrel. It has some amazingly well-carved names inscribed on its surface. How far back does this date?”
Answer: That wooden wall piece is actually an old tabletop. Wisconsin Union Director Emeritus Ted Crabb tells me the tabletop was originally the centerpiece in Dad Morgan’s, a malted milk shop and billiards room on State Street. Dad Morgan’s was the hangout for university men until the Union opened in 1928, which ultimately put the shop out of business. Thankfully, Dad Morgan was not one to hold a grudge and he donated the tabletop, carved with the names of Wisconsin football greats, to the Union’s Rathskeller. It was later moved to the Stiftskeller and generations of students have since immortalized themselves in its oak surface.
Answer: That wooden wall piece is actually an old tabletop. Wisconsin Union Director Emeritus Ted Crabb tells me the tabletop was originally the centerpiece in Dad Morgan’s, a malted milk shop and billiards room on State Street. Dad Morgan’s was the hangout for university men until the Union opened in 1928, which ultimately put the shop out of business. Thankfully, Dad Morgan was not one to hold a grudge and he donated the tabletop, carved with the names of Wisconsin football greats, to the Union’s Rathskeller. It was later moved to the Stiftskeller and generations of students have since immortalized themselves in its oak surface.
Julie Morello asks Abe: “I thought the prom scene in Pretty in Pink was filmed in the Great Hall at Memorial Union, but I cannot find anything to confirm that. I swear Molly Ringwald walked down the Great Hall staircase when she entered the dance. What’s the scoop?”
Answer: Those ballroom staircases all look alike! Although alumni reserve the Memorial Union’s Great Hall for all sorts of celebratory occasions such as weddings, reunions, galas and proms like the one in Pretty in Pink, the final scenes of the 1980s John Hughes film were shot at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. As for Molly Ringwald, the now 42-year-old mother of three published her first book in 2010, Getting the Pretty Back, about handling the life milestones and identity issues that crop up long after the prom ends.
Answer: Those ballroom staircases all look alike! Although alumni reserve the Memorial Union’s Great Hall for all sorts of celebratory occasions such as weddings, reunions, galas and proms like the one in Pretty in Pink, the final scenes of the 1980s John Hughes film were shot at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. As for Molly Ringwald, the now 42-year-old mother of three published her first book in 2010, Getting the Pretty Back, about handling the life milestones and identity issues that crop up long after the prom ends.
Edward Booth Cottrell ’49 asks Abe: “I graduated from UW-Madison after returning from the Air Force in World War II. From 1946 to 1948, I worked part time at the Wisconsin State Historical Society doing all kinds of work in the museum like painting, carpentering and opening and changing displays in the various theme rooms. I also ran the elevator on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The museum was, at that time, in the upper floors of the State Historical Society building at the foot of Bascom Hill. One of the artifacts in the museum was a tall wooden desk and it contained a functioning clockwork. The desk was designed and built by then-student John Muir before he went west and became famous for his efforts to preserve Yosemite Valley and its surrounding beauty as a national monument during Teddy Roosevelt’s presidency. Many a time, I dusted the clock-desk and marveled at its ingenuity and design. I have been in Florida since 1949 and have only been back to Madison once in 1953, at which time the museum had not moved to its new location. I would like to know if the museum still has the John Muir wooden clock-desk?”
Answer: You’ll be pleased to hear that John Muir’s clockwork study desk is still on display in the lobby of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s headquarters building at 816 State Street. The Wisconsin Historical Museum is now located on the Capitol Square.
Before he went on to become one of America’s most influential conservationists, young John Muir invented and built numerous mechanical devices, including the magnificent clockwork desk you remember so fondly. He made the desk, a contraption that arranged his books in the order they needed to be studied, sometime between 1861 and 1863, while he was a student at UW-Madison. Muir turned his North Hall dormitory into a campus attraction by filling it with practical and semi-practical devices, including an “early-rising machine,” a device that dumped the sleeper out of bed at an appointed time. After taking classes in chemistry, mathematics, physics, botany, geology, Greek and Latin, Muir came to realize his true calling was in nature. He left Madison in 1863, wistfully recalling, “I was only leaving one university for another, the Wisconsin University for the University of the Wilderness.”
Answer: You’ll be pleased to hear that John Muir’s clockwork study desk is still on display in the lobby of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s headquarters building at 816 State Street. The Wisconsin Historical Museum is now located on the Capitol Square.
Before he went on to become one of America’s most influential conservationists, young John Muir invented and built numerous mechanical devices, including the magnificent clockwork desk you remember so fondly. He made the desk, a contraption that arranged his books in the order they needed to be studied, sometime between 1861 and 1863, while he was a student at UW-Madison. Muir turned his North Hall dormitory into a campus attraction by filling it with practical and semi-practical devices, including an “early-rising machine,” a device that dumped the sleeper out of bed at an appointed time. After taking classes in chemistry, mathematics, physics, botany, geology, Greek and Latin, Muir came to realize his true calling was in nature. He left Madison in 1863, wistfully recalling, “I was only leaving one university for another, the Wisconsin University for the University of the Wilderness.”
Laurel Gutenberg ’09 asks Abe: “I haven’t been able to figure out what the little, wooden shack is under the protective roof at Camp Randall. It doesn’t have any windows and seems very old. Is it historical?”
Answer: It warms my old, bronze heart when recent grads like you are interested in the history of our campus, Laurel. The wooden structure you spotted is indeed historical, dating back to the 1860s during the American Civil War. Before Camp Randall became home to the Badgers, it was the state’s largest military staging point for the Wisconsin militia and briefly, a prisoner-of-war camp.
In spring 1862, the camp’s military leaders were taken by surprise when some 1,300 Confederate prisoners of war were sent there for confinement. The camp had no provisions for housing prisoners. A corner of the camp was stockaded off and numerous wooden-frame huts were built, including the prisoner hut you’re asking about.
When the first group of Confederate soldiers arrived in Madison by train, most were in good health and in generally good spirits. As they marched to the camp, a band played “Dixie” and a crowd of Madison civilians turned out to see the prisoners. A few days later, another train arrived delivering several hundred men who had not fared well on the journey. City residents were outraged by their condition, and responded generously by bringing food, medicine and clothing for the ill prisoners.
On May 6, 1862, the camp’s public image was further damaged when two prisoners escaped by bribing a guard. They were recaptured shortly afterward, but the camp was locked down from outside visits. This air of secrecy, coupled with a mounting death toll, raised charges of neglect by the public.
After just a few months in Madison, Confederate prisoners able to travel were shipped out, paroled and exchanged near Vicksburg. The sick men stayed behind until they were well enough to travel, at which point they too were sent south.
This ended Camp Randall’s charge as a prisoner-of-war camp. Today, only a few acres remain as a memorial park containing some monuments and the prisoner hut, the last remaining structure from the camp.
You can learn more about the history of Camp Randall in the Ask Abe archives.
Answer: It warms my old, bronze heart when recent grads like you are interested in the history of our campus, Laurel. The wooden structure you spotted is indeed historical, dating back to the 1860s during the American Civil War. Before Camp Randall became home to the Badgers, it was the state’s largest military staging point for the Wisconsin militia and briefly, a prisoner-of-war camp.
In spring 1862, the camp’s military leaders were taken by surprise when some 1,300 Confederate prisoners of war were sent there for confinement. The camp had no provisions for housing prisoners. A corner of the camp was stockaded off and numerous wooden-frame huts were built, including the prisoner hut you’re asking about.
When the first group of Confederate soldiers arrived in Madison by train, most were in good health and in generally good spirits. As they marched to the camp, a band played “Dixie” and a crowd of Madison civilians turned out to see the prisoners. A few days later, another train arrived delivering several hundred men who had not fared well on the journey. City residents were outraged by their condition, and responded generously by bringing food, medicine and clothing for the ill prisoners.
On May 6, 1862, the camp’s public image was further damaged when two prisoners escaped by bribing a guard. They were recaptured shortly afterward, but the camp was locked down from outside visits. This air of secrecy, coupled with a mounting death toll, raised charges of neglect by the public.
After just a few months in Madison, Confederate prisoners able to travel were shipped out, paroled and exchanged near Vicksburg. The sick men stayed behind until they were well enough to travel, at which point they too were sent south.
This ended Camp Randall’s charge as a prisoner-of-war camp. Today, only a few acres remain as a memorial park containing some monuments and the prisoner hut, the last remaining structure from the camp.
You can learn more about the history of Camp Randall in the Ask Abe archives.
Chris Pauly ’02 asks Abe: “While living on campus, I used to run by the Natatorium and routinely follow the fitness course route (called the Parcourse) and perform the various tasks at each station. Years later, when I went for a run along the Lakeshore path I noticed a number of missing stations. Is there going to be a Parcourse in the future, or are the stations going to be slowly plucked into oblivion?”
Answer: Chris, I have it on good authority that the Natatorium’s Parcourse Fitness Circuit is up and running (and jumping and stretching) and will continue to give fitness enthusiasts a good work out for years to come. John Paine, UW-Madison’s Associate Director of Recreational Sports, says there is no intention of removing the course. But you’re right; some of the original stations are missing. The course was established in 1981, and at that time Paine believes there were 20 stations in total. Since then, a couple of the stations had to be removed due in part to vandalism and general wear and tear. And because the company that donated the equipment to campus no longer exists, “we can’t replace any of the stations,” says Paine. “But we do continue to maintain the current stations on the course.” In fact, the UW recently refurbished two sign frames on the now 18-station, 2.5-mile Parcourse — keeping it in good shape so Badgers of all abilities can get in shape.
Answer: Chris, I have it on good authority that the Natatorium’s Parcourse Fitness Circuit is up and running (and jumping and stretching) and will continue to give fitness enthusiasts a good work out for years to come. John Paine, UW-Madison’s Associate Director of Recreational Sports, says there is no intention of removing the course. But you’re right; some of the original stations are missing. The course was established in 1981, and at that time Paine believes there were 20 stations in total. Since then, a couple of the stations had to be removed due in part to vandalism and general wear and tear. And because the company that donated the equipment to campus no longer exists, “we can’t replace any of the stations,” says Paine. “But we do continue to maintain the current stations on the course.” In fact, the UW recently refurbished two sign frames on the now 18-station, 2.5-mile Parcourse — keeping it in good shape so Badgers of all abilities can get in shape.
Eliot Jubelirer '71 asks Abe: “On a recent visit to campus I walked along the path that runs past Washburn Observatory. I used to walk that path every other day on my way to Professor Mosse's European history classes, but I never noticed the juxtaposition of the large granite boulder to the bird effigy. Was the effigy built next to the boulder on purpose? It seems more than a coincidence that the two are so close to each other. Thanks, Abe.”
Answer: Southern Wisconsin is home to the highest concentrations of burial and effigy mounds in the world. Native People created about 1,500 of the mounds in the Madison area (PDF), most of which were built between 2,800 and 800 years ago. While many of those mounds have been destroyed or damaged, the UW-Madison main campus and Arboretum contains about 35 mounds in various shapes including conical, water spirits and birds.
The effigies served burial and ceremonial purposes for the native peoples who built them, often occupying prominent locations with views of water and the surrounding area. Before being protected as historical landmarks, many of Wisconsin’s effigy mounds were destroyed, including 23 on the Madison campus.
Along Observatory Hill there once stood six mounds, but only two are visible today. The above-ground features of the remaining four are no longer visible, having been disturbed by construction of Agriculture Hall and by plowing and grazing. One of the mounds, a two-tailed water spirit, is the only existing example of this unique creature. The second, a bird effigy whose wings are reduced from their original span of 133 feet, sits next to the boulder you spotted, one of Madison’s most famous rocks.
Chamberlin Rock is named for state geologist, UW President and world famous “rock star” Thomas Chamberlin. Chamberlin conducted the first geological survey of the Madison area and named drifts left in the area by successive glacial advances. The last glacier, which formed Observatory Hill, brought the Chamberlin rock with it all the way from Canada.
The fact that the bird effigy and Chamberlin Rock sit together atop Observatory Hill, next to the Washburn Observatory, had nothing to do with the original mound builders. The rock was moved from its resting place lower on Observatory Hill in order to provide a suitable commemorative mount for the plaque dedicated to Chamberlin. When the mound was constructed there was no Chamberlin Rock as we see it today.
Answer: Southern Wisconsin is home to the highest concentrations of burial and effigy mounds in the world. Native People created about 1,500 of the mounds in the Madison area (PDF), most of which were built between 2,800 and 800 years ago. While many of those mounds have been destroyed or damaged, the UW-Madison main campus and Arboretum contains about 35 mounds in various shapes including conical, water spirits and birds.
The effigies served burial and ceremonial purposes for the native peoples who built them, often occupying prominent locations with views of water and the surrounding area. Before being protected as historical landmarks, many of Wisconsin’s effigy mounds were destroyed, including 23 on the Madison campus.
Along Observatory Hill there once stood six mounds, but only two are visible today. The above-ground features of the remaining four are no longer visible, having been disturbed by construction of Agriculture Hall and by plowing and grazing. One of the mounds, a two-tailed water spirit, is the only existing example of this unique creature. The second, a bird effigy whose wings are reduced from their original span of 133 feet, sits next to the boulder you spotted, one of Madison’s most famous rocks.
Chamberlin Rock is named for state geologist, UW President and world famous “rock star” Thomas Chamberlin. Chamberlin conducted the first geological survey of the Madison area and named drifts left in the area by successive glacial advances. The last glacier, which formed Observatory Hill, brought the Chamberlin rock with it all the way from Canada.
The fact that the bird effigy and Chamberlin Rock sit together atop Observatory Hill, next to the Washburn Observatory, had nothing to do with the original mound builders. The rock was moved from its resting place lower on Observatory Hill in order to provide a suitable commemorative mount for the plaque dedicated to Chamberlin. When the mound was constructed there was no Chamberlin Rock as we see it today.
Photo courtesy of Jeff Miller, University Communications
Answer: Home to the second-largest collection of art in Wisconsin, the Chazen Museum of Art celebrated its grand opening on October 22.
Originally named in honor of Conrad A. Elvehjem, president of UW–Madison from 1958 to 1962, the building opened in 1970 as the Elvehjem Art Center and became the Elvehjem Museum of Art in 1978. In 2005, alumni Jerome ’48 and Simona x’49 Chazen donated more than half of the $43 million cost of a much-needed renovation and expansion.
In honor of their generous gift, the Elvehjem was renamed the Chazen Museum of Art, though it continues to be dedicated in Elvehjem’s memory.
Funded entirely through private gifts and grants, the Chazen’s recent expansion more than doubled gallery space with an impressive 86,000-square-foot building, better accommodating its permanent collection along with new acquisitions. Other features of the renovation include a 160-seat auditorium, an additional classroom, a floor-to-ceiling glass mezzanine and outdoor courtyard space.
Events
- Mediterranean Grandeur - May 19
- Italian Riviera - May 25
- Istanbul - June 2
- European Tapestry - June 12
