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.

Faculty Mentor(s)

Marji Morgan

Department/Program

History

Arnettm.pptx (3761 kB)

Additional Files

Arnettm.pptx (3761 kB)

Share

COinS
 
May 15th, 12:00 AM May 15th, 12:00 AM

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