Library Briefings

Pictures of Northwestern's past

A new web site tracks Northwestern's architectural history

Throughout Northwestern University’s 154-year history, its campuses have held more than 125 buildings designed by architects of local and national reputation. Some of these buildings are no longer in existence, others have undergone renovations or serve new functions, and new ones have been added. To provide information on Northwestern’s extensive architectural history, the University Archives offers an authoritative new web site at http://www.library.northwestern.edu/archives/exhibits/architecture/

Drawing on resources from University Archives, Northwestern Architecture provides descriptive historical text and digitized images and documents related to 27 campus structures—including such landmarks as the Rock and the Charles Deering Library. Pages within the site provide detailed histories of the buildings and are illustrated with a selection of photographs and relevant documents. In addition to improving access to archival materials and images, the project helps to preserve the original historical documents and photographs by reducing the number of times they are handled.

The new site can be searched in several ways: “Quick Facts” displays the date and architect for each building; a basic search can be conducted by keyword (including architect or building name); and the advanced search limits by campus, interior/exterior view, or building use.

Northwestern Architecture represents a successful collaboration between Northwestern University Library and University Relations. The Digital Library Committee sponsored the project and a number of Library departments contributed to site development. The University Archives holds the photographs and documents used on the site, and Archives staff wrote the historical narratives. The Digital Technology Department coordinated the digitization of images and documents. Library Management Systems created the interfaces and search functions, and worked with the Web Communications Group (University Relations) to create the site’s structure and sleek style.

The University Archives plans to continue adding to the Northwestern Architecture site, documenting more of the buildings and landmarks that serve, or once served, Northwestern’s students, staff, and faculty.

Janet Olson

Top left: Old College (the first NU building) in the 1890s. Top right: Orrington Lunt, NU founder and donor, after whom Lunt Library (now Lunt Hall) was named.