Guggenheim Hall
History
Guggenheim was constructed in 1912 during the presidency of Zachariah X. Snyder. After suffering one of the worst fires in campus history in 1951, the building was repaired and used for classes and offices for many years. A major renovation, completed in 2002, restored the building to its original beauty, with gleaming wood floors and large, light-filled rooms.
Named for
The building is named after Senator Simon Guggenheim, who donated the money for the structure. It is rumored that the senator made the donation in order to assuage public opinion relating to various campaign expense controversies.
Current Use
Guggenheim houses part of the Department of Visual Arts in painting, drawing and computer graphics, as well as the University's primary exhibition space, the Mariani Gallery.
Building Stats
SF: 20,449 ASF: 14,257
Architect: James Murdock
Fund: State
Renovation Architect: RB&B Architects