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OSU Buildings Histories in the Special Collections and Archives Research Center

Building History

 

Built in 1917 as the Forestry Building, many of the trees in the large grove to the south are remnants of tree nursery that was planted soon after completion. The building now houses the School of Writing, Literature, and Film. In 1973, the building was named for W. W. Moreland, a faculty member in the 1860s and 1870s who is credited with urging the state legislature to designate Corvallis College as the state's land grant institution under the Morrill Act.  Besides the addition of offices and handicap accessibility, the building remains much the same as it appeared in 1917. 

General History

Address

2550 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331

Architect

John Bennes

Year Built

1917

Renovations

Alterations: 1972 remodeled for use by English department, including central Atrium filled with offices. In the 1990s, an elevator and handicapped ramp to basement were added. In 1972, the building was remodeled for its conversion to Moreland hall and the center atrium was filled with offices. The exterior was also repainted in the 1970s. In 1981, modifications to the handrails were preformed. In 1982, steam pipes were insulated, and in 1983 the attic was insulated. General maintenance was performed between 1984-85. Re-roofing was done 1989-90. Parking lot improvements were completed in 1990.

Square Footage

28,380

Purpose/Usage

Classrooms and offices for the Forestry Department and then the English Department

Previous Name(s)

Forestry Building 

Namesake

W.W. Moreland was a Corvallis College faculty member in the 1800s and clerk of the State Legislature. He was responsible for convincing the state legislature to accept the conditions of the Morrill Act, which led to the designation of Corvallis College as the state’s land-grant institution. 

Historic District

Yes; contributing building 

Blueprints

Unknown

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 holds several collections documenting Kidder Hall, including numerous photographs and mentions in personal papers or scrapbooks.

Oregon Digital: Oregon Digital includes both textual and photographic resources documenting the history of Kidder Hall.

Map