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OSU Buildings Histories in the Special Collections and Archives Research Center

Building History

A black and white image of Graf Hall.

Originally known as the Engineering Laboratory, this building was completed in 1920 and included a materials lab, a hydraulics lab, and a steam and gas engine lab, all served by a 5-ton electric crane. It was designed by John Bennes. The south section of the building contained offices, classrooms, and smaller labs, such as the fuel and oil testing lab. In 2015, a building renovation was completed to create a shared, collaborative space for robotics research. The building was named in honor of Samuel H. Graf, a graduate of Oregon Agricultural College and long-time faculty member. Graf earned five engineering degrees, and held many faculty posts, including a stint as the head of experimental engineering from 1912 to 1920.

General Information

Address

1680 SW Monroe Ave, Corvallis, OR 97331

Architect

John Bennes

Year Built

1920

Renovations

1967 (alterations to rooms 102 and 103); 2015 (robotics research area was added)

Square Footage

37,792

Purpose/Usage

Research, instruction

Previous Name(s)

Engineering Laboratory

Namesake

Samuel H. Graf, OAC graduate and engineering faculty member

Historic District

Yes, contributing structure

Blueprints

Facilities Services Records, 1888-2003. Series XX:  Campus, Farm, and Property Maps, 1899-1990. Campus and Farm Maps: 3-A

Maps

Facilities Services Records, 1888-2003. Series XX:  Campus, Farm, and Property Maps, 1899-1990. Campus and Farm Maps: 3-A

Oregon State University Campus Maps, 1894-1994

Photographs

Oregon State University Historical Photographs, 1868-1980

Further Archival Information

SCARC: The Special Collections and Archives Research Center holdings include a wide variety of collections documenting both Graf Hall, and its predecessor the Engineering Laboratory, including photographs, university records, and personal papers.

Oregon Digital: Includes images and textual materials documenting both Graf Hall and the Engineering Laboratory.

Map