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Jonathan Baldwin Turner Hall Building Plaque

Jonathan Baldwin Turner Hall - Building Plaque

Artist

Unknown

Title

Jonathan Baldwin Turner Hall Building Plaque

Year

1963

Acquisition Category

Dedicated

Artwork Type

Building Plaque

Artwork Material

Bronze

Designation

N/A

Artwork Location

Visibility

Indoor

Location

Turner Hall (TUR)

Location Description

On the first floor of Turner Hall in the hallway near the east entrance

Campus Zone

Northwest

ISU Artwork Map

Donor

N/A

Identification Plaque

JONATHAN BALDWIN TURNER HALL CONTRACT DATE APRIL 16, 1962 DEDICATION DATE OCTOBER 6, 1963

TEACHERS COLLEGE BOARD OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS: R.A. STIPES, JR. CHAIRMAN MORTON H. HOLLINGSWORTH NOBEL J. PUFFER, VICE CHAIRMAN WILLIAM MCBRIDE CLARENCE R. ROPP, SECRETARY PAUL STONE CARL DUNBAR JAMES A. RONAN, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE EX OFFICIO WILLIAM E. REED GEORGE T. WILKINS, SUPT. OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, EX OFFICIO MRS.HARRIET LOWDEN MADLENER DR. FREDERICK M. MCKELVEY, EXECUTIVE OFFICER

BUILDING PLANNING COMMITTEE: DR. FLORENCE DAVIS DR. WILLIAM D. ASHBROOK MR. PRESTON ENSIGN DR. CHARLES B. PORTER MR. CLAUDE BELL DR. ROBERT G. BONE DR. R.M. STOMBAUGH MISS MARIE JESSA MISS FRANCIS DAMM. CHAIRMAN DR. LEWIS R. TOLL MISS HATTIE LUNDGREN

ARCHITECT: K.E. MIDDLETON AND ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS A.I.A.”

Description

On November 1 On November 18, 1851, Jonathan Baldwin Turner stood before a convention of farmers in Granville, Illinois, and delivered an address that would play a part in changing the direction of American education. A 46-year-old minister, professor, horticulturalist, and reformer, who had lived for twenty years in Jacksonville, Illinois, Turner believed that every state needed to institute industrial universities – universities dedicated to instruction in agricultural and industrial arts. He joined other reformers nationwide in criticizing existing higher education, feeling that it was necessary to make universities accessible to the industrial class. In 1852, Turner modified his plan to respond to a growing movement that proposed that industrial schools could be funded by land grants. Proponents of the idea suggested that public lands be donated to the states so that the lands themselves or proceeds from their sales could be used to create the universities. In 1863, Illinois accepted the provisions of what has been informally known as the Land-Grant College Act, or Morrill Act, and began preparations for establishing Illinois Industrial University, which in 1885 was renamed the University of Illinois.

Jonathan Baldwin Turner Hall was built in 1962, for U$1,750.000, by Charles H. Eichalkraut and Son, who had the general contract for the building, and the Architects Keith E. Middleton and Associates. The public dedication ceremony took place in 1963, led by Illinois State University’s President Robert Bone. The name of the building was decided by the Teachers College Board, following recommendations of the University Officials.

Reference Sources

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