To Build or Not to Build: A History of Building Codes and the Central Washington University Campus 1893-1986
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
Ellensburg
Event Website
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source
Start Date
15-5-2019
End Date
15-5-2019
Abstract
In this paper, I will address how the changes in building codes and historic preservation have affected buildings on the Central Washington University campus, specifically Barge Hall and Edison Hall. While many of the buildings on the CWU campus are unique, these two have the most interesting stories to tell. I examined documents found within the Facilities and Management collection in the Central Washington University Library archives. There are several building reviews and reports within this collection that examine the structures of both buildings as well as their worth. I examined these documents alongside The Uniform Building Code of 1964 because it is the only version of the code cited within those documents. I found that Barge has remained not only because it is structurally sound but also because of its symbolic nature. Edison Hall, on the other hand, did not remain structurally sound, and carried no symbolic significance for campus as a whole. Both buildings have served a purpose and will always be a part of the campus story. The building codes and the laws regarding historic preservation also have a story to tell. Both begin in the 19th century and continue to grow and change as buildings change. The Edison Hall and Barge Hall papers offer an opportunity to see this story as it plays out over the course of about thirty years.
Recommended Citation
Arnett, Margaret, "To Build or Not to Build: A History of Building Codes and the Central Washington University Campus 1893-1986" (2019). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 65.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2019/Oralpres/65
Department/Program
History
To Build or Not to Build: A History of Building Codes and the Central Washington University Campus 1893-1986
Ellensburg
In this paper, I will address how the changes in building codes and historic preservation have affected buildings on the Central Washington University campus, specifically Barge Hall and Edison Hall. While many of the buildings on the CWU campus are unique, these two have the most interesting stories to tell. I examined documents found within the Facilities and Management collection in the Central Washington University Library archives. There are several building reviews and reports within this collection that examine the structures of both buildings as well as their worth. I examined these documents alongside The Uniform Building Code of 1964 because it is the only version of the code cited within those documents. I found that Barge has remained not only because it is structurally sound but also because of its symbolic nature. Edison Hall, on the other hand, did not remain structurally sound, and carried no symbolic significance for campus as a whole. Both buildings have served a purpose and will always be a part of the campus story. The building codes and the laws regarding historic preservation also have a story to tell. Both begin in the 19th century and continue to grow and change as buildings change. The Edison Hall and Barge Hall papers offer an opportunity to see this story as it plays out over the course of about thirty years.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2019/Oralpres/65
Faculty Mentor(s)
Marji Morgan