Old Chapel (Amherst, Massachusetts)

Old Chapel
View of Old Chapel, with the W.E.B. Du Bois Library to the right
Alternative names	Old Chapel Library Stone Chapel
General information
Type	Academic offices, assembly hall, library
Architectural style	Richardsonian Romanesque
Current tenants	Vacant
Construction started	1884
Completed	1887
Technical details
Floor count	3
Design and construction
Architect	Stephen C. Earle, Worcester
Main contractor	John Beston, Amherst

Old Chapel, formerly known as the Old Chapel Library, is a landmark on the campus of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Constructed in 1884 at a cost of $25,000^[1] to serve as a library, museum, and assembly hall, the Richardson Romanesque style building, constructed by Stephen C. Earle, has over the years been home to numerous academic departments and, most recently, the UMass Marching Band.^[2] The Chapel's original bell, "Old Aggie," was added in 1892, since replaced by 44 Carillon bells.^[1] Although the tower underwent a $1.65 million renovation in 1999, the Old Chapel has been uninhabited since 1996; a movement among alumni exists to further renovate the interior of the building, allowing the Old Chapel to again be used as a center for campus life.^[1]

John F. Kennedy supposedly spoke at the Chapel during his 1952 U.S. Senate campaign.^[2]

In 2013 Amherst Campus Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy announced a campaign to restore and re-purpose the interior of Old Chapel. In support of that campaign, a private organization, Preserve UMass, filed a nomination for this building to the National Register of Historic Places. The filing was made with the Massachusetts Historical Commission and with Chancellor Subbaswamy. In the course of research for the nomination, the assertion that John F. Kennedy spoke in this building during his 1952 U.S. Senate campaign could not be verified with the staff at the J.F. K. Library.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Old Chapel (Amherst, Massachusetts).

University of Massachusetts Amherst Academics College of Education College of Engineering College of Humanities and Fine Arts Isenberg School of Management College of Natural Sciences College of Nursing School of Public Health and Health Sciences College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Stockbridge School of Agriculture Research Center for Public Policy and Administration DEFA Film Library Five College Radio Astronomy Observatory (defunct) Large Millimeter Telescope National Center for Digital Government Political Economy Research Institute Research centers Campus Facilities Fine Arts Center John W. Lederle Graduate Research Center Morrill Science Center Murray D. Lincoln Campus Center (Blue Wall Cafe) Orchard Hill Observatory University Museum of Contemporary Art W. E. B. Du Bois Library Landmarks Campus Pond Old Chapel Chestnut Ridge Historical Area East Ridge Historical Area Ellis Drive Historical Area Athletics Programs Men's basketball Football Men's ice hockey Men's lacrosse Facilities Curry Hicks Cage Earl Lorden Field William D. Mullins Memorial Center UMass Softball Complex Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium Rudd Field History and Traditions UMass Minutemen and Minutewomen Sam the Minuteman UMass Fight Song University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band Student Life Housing University bus & PVTA Five College Consortium Greek life Student Government Association University Without Walls Amherst People Alumni Faculty Presidents and Chancellors Media The Campus Chronicle Jubilat The Massachusetts Daily Collegian The Massachusetts Review WFCR WMUA Miscellaneous 1980 campus water shortage Academic dress

Coordinates: 42°23′20.24″N 72°31′40.70″W / 42.3889556°N 72.5279722°W / 42.3889556; -72.5279722