For
many years a campaign had been carried on throughout Kentucky for funds with
which to erect a building to serve as a memorial to UK students, alumni, and
faculty who served in World War I. Contributions came in sporadically,
and at one time consideration was given to using these funds in building a
gymnasium and a stadium, a plan which was not executed. Finally it was decided that an auditorium
would be built.
The
auditorium, with a seating capacity of 1100, which came to be known as Memorial
Hall, was dedicated on Memorial Day 1929 with Under Secretary of War Patrick J.
Hurley as the principal speaker.
The
front view is marked by the tower and a Corinthian-columned porch. It was, at
the time, the most dramatic building on campus and it was destined to become
the most photographed. The university supplemented private contributions
and built the auditorium in New England church style. With its stage and
pipe organ, Memorial Hall filled the long-standing need for a facility for
concerts, lectures, and some activities of the music department.
The
Greek semi-circular amphitheater built behind Memorial Hall, was used for
concerts, motion pictures and other programs during the warm months. It was a standard feature of campus
beautification in American colleges of the 1920’s. It is still used
today.
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