Section 03 – Planning and Construction of Irvin Hall Irvin Hall’s Centennial: 1925-2025Miami University, Oxford, Ohio Home Previous Section Next Section
![The first version of New Miami was in place, but Miami’s rapid growth rate required a plan of expansion, and in 1913 the trustees commissioned George E. Kessler to produce it. … Only two structures were located according to Kessler’s concept – a science building east of Alumni Library and a chemistry building farther east. The proposed science building became Irvin Hall, although its U-shape was rotated 90 degrees […]](https://sites.miamioh.edu/meyersde/files/2025/06/IRV100-020-1024x576.png)
![ADVISORY COMMITTEE
FEBRUARY 8, 1919
[…] Building Program
I took up the building program, brough before your committee at the last meeting, with the special committee of the faculty on reconstruction and after considerable discussion the following buildings were determined upon as those most needed within the next five years:
Ogden Hall 0,000
Woman’s Hall 150,000
Hospital 30,000
Woman’s Gymnasium 100,000
Men’s Gymnasium 100,000
Astronomical Observatory 35,000
Science Hall for Physics and Mathematics 100,000
Recitation Hall, or University Commons 100,000 5,000
Equipment 85,000
1,000,000
[…] One of the greatest dangers that confronts us is the loss of the Main Building by fire. Owing to the construction of this building and the use to which it is put, with the boarding department at one end and the manual training department with carpenter shop at the other, the fire risks are rather greater than in most of our other buildings. We have within the last few years found and put out three fires in this building. If the building should be destroyed by fire, it is highly improbable that we would care to include in a new building on this site a dining room for men students. It is probably that such a hall would be built as a separate structure on a different part of the campus, and that the whole Main Building would be used for recitation purposes.
In case the Main Building stands, no better use could be made of the west wing than is now being made of it as a University Commons. The room is adequate, is attractive, and further it is not available for any other purpose. If at this time we would proceed with the erection of a Commons building to include a boarding department for men it would not be needed. On the other hand, if we proceed with the erection of a recitation hall, which is badly needed at the present time, it would not be needed if the Main Building should be destroyed by fire and a new building erected on that site which would certainly have ample accommodations for recitations. […]](https://sites.miamioh.edu/meyersde/files/2025/06/IRV100-021-1024x576.png)
![EXECUTIVE & EXP & DEV COMMITTEES
OCTOBER 16.
[…]
4. Class Rooms and Laboratories
Class room and laboratory space can still be provided to meet the growth for the next two or three years. To do this, however, classes must be scheduled in the afternoons and laboratory work in the mornings, and it is further necessary to have a considerable number of teachers without a room of their own, meeting classes in different rooms in different buildings. These conditions are undesirable.
Within three years, if Miami continues to grow, additional class room facilities will be necessary.
[…]
We will soon be obliged to provide another recitation hall.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In order to meet the present needs and the growth which it s reasonable to expect within five years, I recommend
[…]
6. That steps be taken to erect a recitation Hall for the Liberal Arts College to be completed not later than the fall of 1923.
[…]
9. So far as possible I believe it is desirable for the University to own all the frontage on Spring Street.](https://sites.miamioh.edu/meyersde/files/2025/06/IRV100-022-1024x576.png)
![MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
JUNE 26, 1920
The Committee on Legislation
C. L. Swain, Chairman.
[…]
2. A communication from the Budget Commissioner some two months ago requested that we send up at our earliest opportunity a statement of our request for buildings for the coming biennium. After going over the matter very carefully, the following requests were transmitted to the Budget Commissioner:
[…]
For one wing of a recitation hall to
be erected east of the library 0,000
[…]
The old Main Building is not well adapted for class room purpose. It out to be either entirely abandoned, largely renovated, or else used much less fully than it is at present. The narrow hall and lack of ventilating arrangements are unsatisfactory. Aside from the fact that the Main Building is not a satisfactory recitation building, it is now used to its full capacity. This year it has been very seriously crowded. Next year, with a more carefully adjusted schedule, every but os space will be used that can be used. Any further growth of the University will necessitate additional classroom facilities. A recitation hall for the use of the Liberal Arts Colleg must be built within the next two years if the institution is to grow.](https://sites.miamioh.edu/meyersde/files/2025/06/IRV100-024-1024x576.png)
![MINUTES OF MEETING OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES
JUNE 8, 1923
The 85th General Assembly has appropriated the following sums for new construction for Miami University for the biennium beginning July 1, 1923:
First section of Arts College recitation building 0,000.00
Addition to McGuffey training school building 165,000.00
Shop building for industrial arts development 30,000.00
Changes in power plant, installation of additional equipment therein, and extension of service lines to new buildings 151,880.00
Total 6,880.00
[…] The Committee recommends that the recommendations of President Hughes relative to preparation of plans for the Arts College recitation building and the industrial arts building, the addition to McGuffey Hall, and the necessary changes and extensions of the power plan and service lines be approved.](https://sites.miamioh.edu/meyersde/files/2025/06/IRV100-026-1024x576.png)
![The long struggle between swelling enrollment and inadequate funding was eased in 1921 when the Ohio General Assembly appropriated funds for construction at state universities. … With the combination of state aid and private funds, between 1923 and 1925 Wells Hall, University Hospital, Ogden Hall, the south wing of Swing Hall, the north portion of Gaskill Hall, McFarland Observatory, and Irvin Hall were constructed. Robert S. Harsh, [state architect,] would be responsible for two of these buildings, Irvin and Swing.
The North and East wing of Irvin Hall opened in 1925. Harsh is credited as architect but apparently was not the original designer.](https://sites.miamioh.edu/meyersde/files/2025/06/IRV100-027-1024x576.png)
