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Wayne State University Buildings
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Old Main on WSU campus
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| Location: | Detroit, Michigan United States |
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| Built: | 1895 |
| Architect: | Malcomson & Higginbotham; Field, Hinchman & Smith |
| Architectural style: | Classical Revival, Queen Anne |
| Governing body: | State |
| NRHP Reference#: | 78001524[1] |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP: | June 23, 1978 |
| Designated MSHS: | January 19, 1957[2] |
The Wayne State University Buildings historic district consists of three buildings on 4735-4841 Cass Ave in Detroit, Michigan: the Mackenzie House (4735 Cass), the Hilberry Theater (4743 Cass), and Old Main (4841 Cass), all on the campus of Wayne State University.[3] The buildings were designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1957[2] and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.[1]
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Old Main was designed and built in 1895-1896 by Malcomson & Higginbotham.[4] Its original use was to house Detroit's Central High School. The original building plan had 103 rooms arranged in a "T" shape, with an auditorium which seated over 2,000 people. In 1908, a wing was added housing gymnasiums, laboratories, and shops.[4]
The function of the building began to change in 1917, when Detroit Junior College opened its doors in a part of the building. The enrollment in the college grew, crowding the building and the high school still housed there.[4] In 1923, the College of the City of Detroit (CCD) replaced the Detroit Junior College, crowding the building even more. Finally, in 1926, Central High School moved out of the building, leaving CCD as the primary occupant, along with a smaller College High School.[4] In 1928, the latter closed, leaving CCD as the sole tenant.[4] Five years later, Wayne State University was formed.
A large wing on Warren Avenue was added in 1937. The building continued to serve Wayne State, and in 1994 received major renovations and a new addition.[4]
The Hilberry Theater was built in 1916/1917 as the First Church of Christ Scientist, designed by the architectural firm of Field, Hinchman and Smith (predecessor of Smith, Hinchman and Grylls).[5] The auditorium was designed to seat 1,500 congregants.[5] The Christian Science congregation used the building until 1961, when they sold it to Wayne State University. WSU remodeled the interior to create a theater to seat 500 people, serving as a repertory theater.[5] The building was re-christened in honor of Clarence Hilberry, the fourth president of WSU.
The Mackenzie House is a Queen Anne house, designed by Malcomson & Higginbotham and built in 1895. It was the home of David Mackenzie, principal of Central High School and founder of the College of the City of Detroit.[6]
In the mid-1970’s, the Mackenzie House was slated for demolition, until a group of Wayne State students protested. Their successful effort created a new organization, Preservation Wayne. The building now serves as the offices of Preservation Wayne and the University Cultural Center Association.[7]
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