Catt Hall History

Iowa State University is home to many astounding buildings that have tested the sands of time. As you walk through campus you may see the Old Farmhouse building that houses a great museum or the grand buildings of Beardshear and Curtis halls, but one building that you should direct your attention to rather than just walk by every day, as I had done in the past, to truly understand its history and meaning, is Catt Hall. This building has gone through many decades of change and accomplishment and is one of the most important buildings on campus through its help of Women’s suffrage with Carrie Chapman Catt, changes in departments, and withstanding demolition wishes of its amazing architectural design. Catt Hall is one of the oldest buildings here on

Not near as old as the first few buildings, it still holds a significant historical input and change within Iowa State University’s walls. There is a quote that tells of this historical value, “The History behind this building can be seen in the structures architectural brilliance and function as if it was still 1892”(Wordpress.com). This building was designed by Joselyn and Taylor of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and was constructed by Whiting and Wood (PDF file). (Describe the materials used). It is a style of building called Queen Anne Revival, and it has a very unique style to it. In 1902-03 the Farm Mechanics building was added onto the north side of the then Agricultural Hall. The architects chosen for this were Proudfoot and Bird and the contractor chosen was C.E. Atkinson (PDF file). If you were to look at the building and depict the features, as I did, you would see how the lines of the building are both curved and straight, jagged from the brick work yet smooth from the stairs, and you would get a sense of