PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION

Volume 15 November-December, 1995 Number 6 Focus On: Smith Memorial Hall

The Tma Weedon Smith Memorial Hall is eligible for the National Register of His- toric Places under Criterion C, in the area of architecture. Erected between 1916- 1920 to the plans of University of Illinois architect, James M. White, the building is an example of the Beaux Arts Classical style on a campus of primarily Georgian Revival structures. Integrity of design has been maintained over the years. Since its completion in 1920, the building has housed the expanding School of Music, and was the School's only building during its formative period when hundreds of undergraduate and graduate t' students were influenced byits renowned 'acuIty and visiting performers to the music department. The Tina Weedon Smith Memorial Hall; 805 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, was recently nominated Introduction to the National Register of Historic Places in honor of the centennial of the School of Music. "...To raise the gerierallevel of educa- tion of the people and to train leaders." dered th~ men out when, for the first ness and pleasure of people than any- This was the motto strongly promoted by time, he laid eyes on Miss Tina Weedon. thing within my know}edge, aside from Professor David Kinley during his tenure The following year, Captain Smith strug- the necessary living expenses of-human as president of the University of Illinois gled through enemy lines to marry Miss beings. " (1920-1930). He accomplished this vision Weedon, whereupon he reestablished James Mclaren White, university ar- by stimulating prospective benefactors himself in Champaign, Illinois with his chitect and professor, was chosen to be among the alumni. Initiating tliis era of new bride. the supervising architect for the project. patronage, sprung the architecturally sig-: . Mr. Smith practiced law and was an ac- nificant Smith Memorial Hall. The Tina White was the supervising architect of the tive member of the University of lllinois University of Illinois for almost a quarter Weedon Smith Memorial Hall, completed Board of Trustees from 1897-1903,where of a century, proving his participation as in 1920, elegantly stands east of Foel- he became a 'vocal proponent of music a great contributor to at least eighty of the linger Auditorium and just to the north of education. Mrs. Smith was a light-hearted major buildings on the campus. His first two National Historic Landmarks, the and the Astronomical Ob- and high-spirited woman, with a pat- major building project was the old ticular fondness of music. On August 22, Library () designed with servatory, a historically significant partof 1903 Tina Weedon Smith died. Nathan C. Ricker in 1896. Prof. White was the main quadrangle at the University of In memory of his beloved wife, Captain stated to,have been more influential than Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Thomas J.Smith donated real estate hold- any other man on the material develop- ings totaling $250,000 for the construction ment of the campus during his 43 years History of a music building for the University of on staff at the University. As Rev. H. Oif- As an officer in the federal army in the Illinois Department of Music. Never ford Northcott a!idressed at James

Civil War, Captain Thomas Smith ' J. before had the University been so White's funeral, "Here's to the man who halted the company he was commanding honored in accepting such a generous gift plans things- Builds things- Makes things- on March 6, 1863 during a march in pour- that was not state appropriated. In ' Who prates not of wonders of old, Nor ag rain outside a home iri Woodbury, Smith's own eyes he noted, "While I am fennessee. Smith's men entered the house seeks to acquire treasures of gold, But in no sense a musician, there is nothing takes off his coat, and takes ahold, And and devoured all the food they could " nearer to my heart than the development doesthings." find. After being informed by the 0WI\er, of music. It is the greatest thing in the Smith was asked by Edmund J. James, Mrs. Weedon, of the invasion, Smith or- world and contributes more to the happi- President of the University of Illinois, to examine the plans carefully and give his , MemorialHall brought aliowed Stiven to form and teach in the early decades of the opinion. The reply was as follows: "I expand interest inmusiceduc~tion 19OOs. have gbne over again with the Supervis- through changes in music curncula with The Recital Hall continues to enlighten ing Architect and his assistants the plans the addition of theory, !=Qnducting,and in- the delicate space with inspiring m~sic. A of the Music Building and I can see no strumentation cours~s. By the time of his Champaign local and renown singer, Wil- grounds for criticism w:hatever. They are death in January 1947,he had established liam Warfield, ~eaded a combir1ation of . _) so completely satisfactory tome that I graduate progralI1.s,'recruited excellent talents for a fund-raising performance in hardly need to sayariythmg more except faculty, organized the departmental 1990. Warfield is known internationally tha t Ihope all possible dispatch 'Yill be library, and had instituted much that Was for his singing in productions like "Show- made use of in getting a .start and continu- to characterize the school for the next half- boat" and iri concerts and on records. ,00 ' ing until completion." With this, White, century. , January 22, 1990, pianist Ian Hobson per- was authorized to proceed with theex- Starting in the 1920s, distinguished per- formed Beethoven's Fantasyfor Piano cavation and the construction of the foun- formers and faculty have been an integral Chorus and Orchestrawith an orchestra of ,dation of Smith Memorial Hali. part of the University of Illinois School of University of Illinois faculty and students

, "This is the happiest moment of my Music. Amorg the renown faculty were' for a fund-raising campaign. life," said Captain Smith, ashe took the the following. Russell Hancock Miles was beribboned spade in his trembling hands _ a composer, choral conductor, and or- , Architecture and broke the sod as th~ formal signaI'for ganist for lllinois from 1922-1963,whose fuaddition to the history which made excavation to begin onOctober 24, 1916. best known work is the cantata, T~ Cham- Smith MemoriafHall possible and the Not only was Mr. Smith excited, but also beredNauh1us, based on a poem by ,Oliver talents that have since kept the audit- , Wendell Holmes. Velma Kitchell Wilson, the many students and facultywho ' orium full of breathtaking sounds, the ac- would be aole to be a part of the new and 'appoirited to the facultY in 1928, was a -- tual architeCtural "symphony" wltich was

expanded Schoolof Music.In James _ pianist and choral director, who em- composed here is also significant to this White's opinion this added one-more - phasized music appreciation and 'music memorial building. Identifying features piece to his master plan, bE!gW\as early as education. Her 1939 music appreciation of the buildingcompri~ the Beaux Arts January 1912, for the University of D- class had 171 students enrolled, one of CIassical style. Based on academic prin- linois. His modified plan of 1919 con- the largest enrollments of the ,time. She ciples expounded by France's famed ar- sisted of the development of a main quad- also advocated using radio programs as chitectural school, the Ecole des Beaux-- rangle,an engineering quadrangle to'the part of a music 'teac:\:ler'scurriculum, Arts, the style was quic.\dy adopted by north, and an agricultural quadrangle to Viennese immigrant Hubert Kessler America's leading architects: This formal, the south. Complying with this idea, the began teaching in 1930 and was the academic style was well suited to th,e , UnivE!!"sitycampus has developed accord- author of a number of textbooks based on monumental buildings built in the early ing to the pattern planned by this ar- music theory and philosophy. He did twentieth century and quickly became chit~, __, ,__, ,.~, .'~ .'. _.., ~_ muchtppromlite i1n.W1d~1aQ4ing.iIDd the style,9{.cPpjcej~n

was in my power and noW at this stage of highly successful twenty-year director of pitched, or low hipped roofs with ' my career, I want to say before my depar-: the School of Music in later years. Pianist balustrades and foliated brackets; grand ture from this life that I bear no evil Stanley Flatcher was a well-known inter- stairways and lavish interiors. Entry por-

__ thoughts nor harbor no evil mind against preter of Chopin and continued to tour ches with roofs supported by classiCal any human being and feel at this time after his faculty appointment, including coh,llnns are common as are cornice lines that if I had my life to repeat, I doubt two Town Hall concerts in New York accented by elaborate moldings, dentils, whether I could have improved it oroot." City. He also contributed significantly to and modillions. Wall surfaces are Completed in 1920 and dedicated on the Festival of Contemporary Arts. The decorated with garlands, floral patterns, April 27, 1922, the Tina Weedon Smith Godfather of Brass, John Philip Sousa, and shields; and elaporate window and Memorial Hall was a proud reminder of conducted concerts here in the 1930s. door surrounds &retypical. the Smith family and their generous dona- Uporihis death, he left his library to the Smith Memorial Hall possesses a most tion to the School of Music at the Univer- University of lllinois for continued use by striking temple facade and basilica-type the School of Music. Luminaries such as sitYofIllinois. ' plan unlike ariy other campus building. While a new home was being erected Igor Stravinsky, Sir Leopolc;lStokowski" Classical tetra style Ionic columns have to house the growing School of Music en- John Cage, Harry Partch, Leonard Rose, been Pblced in antis to strongly address rollment; renowned organist Frederic Ben- Joseph Szigeti, Georges Eneseo,and its main entrance, while distyle in antis jamin Stiven became director. The.new Aaron Copland were among the many side elevation porticos e&o the facade. and needed space that the Smith who visited the School of Music to per- Made of fireproof construction, the build- ing is comprised of red brick laid in - English bond above a high stone founda- tion accentuated with limestone ornamen- tation of elegant craftsII1anship. Symbolic llusical detailing is arranged throughout che entire building, both exterior and inte- rior, emphasi~gthemusical strength in- tended for the memory of Mrs. Tina Weedon Smith. This ornamentation in- cludes the inscribed names of famous composers (Haydn, Palastrina, Beethoven, Bach) in the frieze, lyres in the stepped stone parapet, musical symbols in the entrywayentablatures, and even the metal lamp posts have musical sym- bols embossed thereon. The frieze o{the Recital Hall is greatly embellished with different musical instruments including cymbals, flutes, xylophones, horns, and string instruments. Oassical details are used liberally on The Memorial Room, a most glorious Italum Renaissana room, is one of most ornate rooms on the building and are not limited to the the entire campus. It served as the music library from 1940 to 1972. monumental classical Ionic order with full entablature used at the entrances. The Beaux Arts style elements are 'still found Among the>classical elements found are frieze is enlivened with garland wreaths in the grouped double hung windows highly ornamented pilasters; a full en- - and foliatedscrolls,the cornicehas den-- with transoms, stone keystones and tablature with festoons, triglyphs and nls and the pediment is topped by paneled lintels, and stone. entablature metopes (with bas-relief musical instru~ acroteria plinths. The entrance doors have with ornamental brick frieze. ments); and egg-and-dart and dentil classically molded sUm:>undswith bay In plan,'the circulation is incorporated moldings among others. leaf garland transom bars and egg-and- through a corridor which wraps around Smith Memorial Hall possesses most dart flat cornices. An entablature using the interior's periphery leading to importantly the Memorial Room, used anthemion and palmette moldings is studios, offices,>and classrooms. Elaborate from 1940-1972 as the music library. It is a above the second story windows. The three-story comer staircases provide verti- most glorious Italian Renaissance room, -ide axis entrances are also classically cal circulation arid continue the Beaux one of the mostomate on the entire cam- detailed with full pedimented surrounds Arts style with cornel' niches, classically- 'pus. Located on the second floor directly with dentils and classical moldings; the detail~ plaster walls, and highly behind the large columns of the main metal spandrel panels above are heavily detailed coffered ceilings. Within the cen- facade is a cornucopia of ~ream and tan ornamented with foliated swags and ter core lies the acoustically designed marble and richly detailed designs of shields. Although the side elevations west Recital Hall whose walls are highly cream, pink, and apple-green plaster. Two of the side axis entrance porticos are decorated with classical ornament above marble fireplaces address the two short simpler in design that the main facade, the first story wood I'aneled dado. walls, while pilasters make up the long

Membership Application P.A.C.A. MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY: o NEW o RENEWAL

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Make checks payable to: PACA, Box2555,Station A, Champaign, Illinois 61825 sides: The room is a virtual symphony of Salvage Donations classicalornament as found on the Peter Sauer PACA Arinual Richard Lore marble pilasters, fireplaces and door sur- rounds and as applied to theplaster Membership Meeting RogerWoodbury walls, full entablature and coffered ceil- University of illinois ing. Every surface is covered with richly will be held in February New & Renewing Members ornamented classically-detailed moldings Alice Berkson including the use of egg and dart, guil- Unda & Doug Mills loche, anthemions, palmettes, acanthus, Details to follow Toni & Dan Corkery fret work, Egyptian, bead and reel, and Sally Foote & Thomas Wold dentils. Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Smith Mr. & Mrs. Charles J. Longacre hung triumphantly in this room at one Mr. & Mrs. Lachlan Blair point in time,but have now been moved Mrs. Vita N. Doyle to either end of the corridors. An 'Oriental ~ominations Sought: Heritage Mrs John J. Dwyer rug, donated to the University by Presi- Awards & Board of Directors. Mr. & Mrs. George A. Miley dent John Corbally and his wife, covers Thomas & Regina Galer-Unti the floor. Chandeliers donated in 1984, in Nominations are still being accepted for Henri Merkelo memory of Professor Dorothy Gunsalus Dr. & Mrs. G.H. VanRens (1916-81) & Professor Grace Wilson (1918- the 1996 Heritage Awards. Categories in- clude: Residential, Commercial, Institu- Curtis Abert 82), hang from the coffered ceiling. This Wend Gibson tional, Adaptive Use, Landscape, Neigh- intricately designed room enhances the borhood, and Special Heritage Awards. Sheila Goldberg meaning which Smith Memorial HaJI Anup K. Roy bears. The Committee is actively seeking nominations from individuals, organiza- RobbiFarrell Brad Coats tions, and architectural[engineering Conclusion Neill Schurter firms for projects substantially completed The TIna Weedon Smith Memorial Hall Mrs. Francis Kruidenier in 1995. Self nominations are encouraged. is most importantly a memorial toCap- Colleen & Peter Bushell tain Thomas J. Smith's wife. In concor- Nominations are also being sought for the Board of Directors. Three Directors Dorothy J.Neumann dance, the auditorium has held many sig- Jack & Virginai Waaler nificant events which continue to en- will be elected at the Annual Meeting and will serve terms of three years. Contact Jeff Gordon Family lightenthe space with beautiful music, as Robbi Farrell Mr. Smith intended. As Captain Smith so PACA with your suggestions. elegantly said, "...this is a beautiful struc- Salvage v'1.P.s ture that will ere long stand forth as a fit- Membership Renewals Bob SwiSher ting memorial of love and devotion to the Tony Bamert memory of as pure<\ character as has ever To help reduce mailing costs, PACA is Gary Perkins lived in this world." Significant treasures asking its members to check their mailing Rich Cahill as this should be cherished and admired label for the date of their last renewal. Matt Riggs for its character that is rarely found today. Each label is marked with the day, month, Cheri Chenoweth Pius Weibel This article was takenfrom theNational and year of the last time a membership Register nomination y Amy Lamb and Karen check was received. Lapsed members are Gail Taylor Mike Miller Kummer; it was passed by the Illinois especially encouraged to renew before Historic Sites Advisory Council in December. being deleted from the mailing list.

PACA Newsletter Art Zangerl, President NON-PROFIT Richard Cahill, Vice-President ORG. Daniel Wur!, Secretary u.s. POSTAGE Perry Monis, Treasurer PAID Karen Lang Kummer, Exec. Diredor CHAMPA.IGN,IL PERMIT NO. 133 328-PACA: Telephone & Answering Service

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