| Indiana State University campus | |
| [[File:|280px|]] | |
| Fairbanks Hall | |
| Use | Classroom |
| Style | Beaux-Arts |
| Erected | 1903 |
| Location | Seveth Street; off the Quadrangle |
| Namesake | Crawford Fairbanks |
| Architect | W. H. Floyd and C. E. Scott |
| Dean | Alden Cavanaugh |
| Website | http://www.indstate.edu/art-dept/faculty.htm |
Fairbanks Hall serves as both a working art studio as well as gallery space for the art department of Indiana State University. Originally built as a Terre Haute public library in 1903-06; it is an outstanding example of Beaux-Arts architecture and constructed entirely from Indiana Limestone.[1]
In 1903, Mr. Fairbanks offered to construct a new public library on a site the city would provide; it was to be named in honor of his mother Emeline Fairbanks.
Terre Haute acquired a parcel of land at Seventh and Eagle Streets by May 5, 1903, the groundbreaking took place on March 15, 1904. On August 10, 1904, the cornerstone was placed. A timecapsule containing the history of the building, as well as a list of city and university officials, photographs of the namesake Fairbanks family, a copy of the program for the ceremony, copies of the city's newspapers and a 1904 Terre Haute city directory.
The informal opening and dedication of the completed building was April 29, 1906. On Saturday, August 11, 1906, a formal ceremony to open the building to the public was held, the following Monday, the Emeline Fairbanks Memorial Library opened to the general public.
In 1978, Indiana State University took ownership and following its renovation, it was christened Faribanks Hall in honor of the prominent Terre Haute businessman and philanthropist, responsible for its original construction, Mr. Crawford Fairbanks.
As part of the new Indiana State Master Plan[2], Fairbanks Hall will receive a comprehensive study to determine a new use of the space. It is a historically significant structure and will continue to be used by the University.