University Archives News

Object Lesson: A New View of an Old Friend

A monthly feature highlighting the artifact collection of the University Archives.

You've seen The Rock many times while walking across the Evanston campus—usually with an ever-changing coat of paint or slogan. It first came to Northwestern in 1902, and was originally a drinking fountain placed between University Hall and Harris Hall. Over the years it became a landmark and meeting place, eventually becoming a canvas for enthusiastic, undergraduate artists.

Here is a view of this monolith not many have seen: the actual rock inside The Rock.

This chunk of Northwestern history was acquired on August 16, 1989 when The Rock was moved by crane to its present location. Moved, you say? Yes! The boulder cracked in transit, and the damage repaired with mortar. But, fortunately for us, this little bit of raw, unpainted, unadulterated Rock - formed by nature in glorious tones of Northwestern purple and white - sheared from its parent stone and tumbled away, cadged by a wary witness to the event. This piece of The Rock made its way to the University Archives and sits on display so that you and all posterity can know what lies at the flinty heart of our quartzite icon.

Read the full story of The Rock and see more pictures on the University Archives' Northwestern Architecture website.