Special Collections & Archives

This is a collection containing documents from the planning and construction of what is now Exley Science Center, between 1963 and 1971. This collection is about Phase II of the Science Center. Phase I was the construction of Hall-Atwater Laboratory, which was completed in 1967, preceding the rest of the center. In the mid 1960s, the student population of the University was augmented by 510, approaching the population we have today. Wesleyan had to meet the need to accommodate more students than the previous Hall Laboratory was capable of, a well as meet competitive standards in the fields of science. These two factors justified the cost of the new Science Center, which in the end was approximately 18 million dollars. Phase II was completed in 1970.

This collection is of particular interest to students and faculty at the present moment due to the pending construction of the new Molecular and Life Sciences building. This enormous project that the University is about to undertake has become controversial for a number of reasons, but perhaps the most talked about controversy is the demolition of the historic Shanklin Laboratory. Hall-Atwater, which has only been around since 1967, will also be demolished, although this seems to have not raised much protest. The February 22 issue of the Argus described the complaints issued by the “Shanklinistas:” the faculty of Shanklin who have protested its demolition, and have been supported by many students. Despite this, in the same Argus article, Professor of Neuroscience and Behavior Stephen Devoto was quoted as saying “It’s going to be the most expensive thing Wesleyan has done, perhaps ever. The next step is to get the campus behind this plan, and agree that this is the best way forward.” Indeed, the project will cost an estimated $160 million dollars, which is expected to significantly contribute to a projected $2 million dollar annual deficit by the 2012-2013 school year (according to the Argus, April 4). Devoto contrasts the new building from the existing Science Center, which he calls the “ugliest thing on campus” (Argus, Oct 5).

It will be interesting to see if the building is perceived as aesthetically pleasing, or if it ends up being a functional project that ignores questions of aesthetics (as many perceive Exley). According to the Campus Master plan, the goal is to “create a stronger sense of community among students and faculty in different areas of science by increased opportunities for informal interaction, to address how classrooms and modes of teaching may change as we enter an era in which technology will become more important in the acquisition and transmittal of knowledge.” You can also access the images of what the building should look like here. It should provide an interesting comparison with the original construction of the Science Center.

Do you know where this window is at Wesleyan? 

Too often we are so caught up in our own lives and that we forget to look at the things around us. 115 years have passed since a certain Wesleyan student graduated but his generosity is still all around us to enjoy from one corner of the campus to the other. George W. Davison graduated in 1892, served as a Trustee from 1912 until his death in 1953 and President of the Board of Trustee’s from 1928-1943. We know the Davison Art Center, which Mr. Davison’s donation of his print collection makes it one of the most important at an American university. His many contributions to Wesleyan University include funding of the Davison Health Center and Alsop House purchase and renovation.

What does this have to do with the picture of the stained glass window?

The Davison’s funded the creation of the Davison Rare Book Room in Special Collections & Archives of Olin Library and donated a superb collection of rare books. Two of the many items donated by George Davison go mostly unnoticed because of the need to close the drapes in the Davison Rare Book Room. These two items are large stained glass windows believed to come from his home in Somerset, MA.  Two-thirds of the 1500 volumes in the room belonged to George Davison’s own collection. If you would like to see the Davison Rare Book Room, hand carved walnut paneling, built-in glass-fronted book shelves, a built-in exhibition case for his four Shakespeare folios, Bibles from the 13^th to the 20^th Centuries or the stained glass windows stop by Monday-Friday 1:00-5:00.

On this President’s Day weekend, we remember the architect Henry Bacon, who designed the Lincoln Memorial as well as Olin Library and Van Vleck Observatory, among other buildings on Wesleyan’s campus. Bacon worked with the Board of Trustees in the early 20th century to create a building development plan for Wesleyan’s future.

Special Collections & Archives has a collection of Henry Bacon Papers, including a splendid collection of photographs taken during the construction of the Lincoln Memorial. The photo below shows sculpter Daniel Chester French and a work crew as the statue of Lincoln was assembled.