University of Wisconsin - Madison - Red Gym/Armory

Description:

Years: 1899/2013

Original Photograph: by Annie Sievers Schildhauer: Domestic Life Photographs; 1893-1899

History: 

Around the time of the construction of the building, anti-capitalist civil insurrections had occurred in a number of cities in the United States; Leaders in many cities saw the need for local armories to be prepared for worker strikes and uprisings. Thus, when funding the building, the Wisconsin legislature clearly saw its use by local militia.  The architects, Conover and Porter, designed it with a dual purpose in mind: armory and gymnasium. Modifications were made to the plans when a new university president, Charles Adams, insisted that the second floor be capable of accommodating large assemblies.  Construction began in fall, 1892 and was completed in September, 1894.