HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY FORM University of Oregon Cultural Resources Survey Eugene, Lane County, Oregon Summer 2006 RESOURCE IDENTIFICATION Current building name: Knight Library Historic building name: The Library Building address: 1501 Kincaid Street Ranking: Primary ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION Architectural style classification: Beaux Arts Eclecticism (original portion) and Modernistic (per National Register nomination) Building plan (footprint shape): rectangular (long front) and rear and side wings Number of stories: 3 Foundation material(s): concrete w/masonry facing (original) Primary exterior wall material: American bond brick Secondary exterior wall material: cast stone (original) Roof configuration/type: flat (original) Primary roof material: BUR (original) Primary window type: 15x15 multi-pane double-hung; 2nd story reading room windows w/spec. ornamental pattern (original) Primary window material: wood and glass (original) Decorative features and materials: cast stone belt courses, lettering & bas relief panels & balconies, entryway & reading room window jambs & heads, parapet coping & cornice w/heads, benches, brick 1st floor rowlock header courses; decorative metal entry lamps & doors; marble, travertine, & kasota stone in lobbies, stairs, hall, circulation (original) Landscape features: formal north plaza with benches, pool, regularly spaced small trees, & stone entry stairs; small shrubs & trees adjacent to building; east garden Associated resources: other Lawrence buildings on Memorial Quad, Memorial Quad, Knight Library Axis, Kincaid Green, Southwest Campus Green Comments: Knight Library is the terminus for Memorial Quad and Knight Library Axis. Artwork in building was done by: O.B. Dawson (wrought iron); Noland Zane (text panels); Arthur & Albert Runquist (murals); Art Clough w/Bates, McClure (carved wood); and Louis Shubart (cast stone). ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY Date of construction: 1937 Architect: Lawrence, Holford & Allyn (original) Builder/Contractor: Ross B. Hammond Inc. (General); Ernest Thomas (cast stone); Urban & Sinnott Inc. (Heating); English-Baker Co. (lighting fixtures); Lutz Marble Co. (interior stone); Art Metal Construction Co. (bookstacks); Hoffmeyer & Collins (masonry), (original). Moved? (yes/no): no Date of move(s): N/A Description/dates of major additions/alterations: See Continuation Sheet 1. Survey Form Page 2 Building Name: Knight Library HISTORICAL ASSOCIATIONS & SIGNIFICANCE Original use(s) or function(s): University Library Current use(s) or function(s): University Library Area(s) of significance: Education, Architecture, Art Period of significance: 1935 - 1937 Statement of Significance (use continuation sheet if necessary): Ellis Fuller Lawrence’s original plan called for an auditorium to be built in this site, as the termination of the south axis and most important building in his beaux-arts plan. The axis extended from the auditorium to Dad’s Gates and beyond to the train station. However, the decision was made by President Hall to build a library in its place. The library was funded by the Public Works Administration (“PWA”) and the Works Progress Administration (“WPA”) program funds and is representative of the last surge of building before WWII. The library has been referred to as Oregon’s best example of integrated art and architecture. It is the most fully executed of Lawrence’s buildings incorporating sculpture, painting and metalwork, much done by students, graduates and professors. Much of the interior artwork is mostly intact. The building’s name was changed in 1994 to honor Phillip Knight, President and CEO of Nike, Inc and a University of Oregon alum. Knight Library, along with the Memorial Quad, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 9, 1990. The original Lawrence building from 1937 was nominated and listed and the 1950 and 1966 additions were listed as non-contributing. At the time the National Park Service accepted the building, the 1994 addition had yet to be built. The library was listed under criteria A and C: it was listed under A because it was funded by Public Works Administration funds and listed under C as a significant element in Lawrence’s Beaux Arts plan and for the fine craftsmanship displayed on the exterior and interior of the library. The original portion of the building is listed in the nomination as Beaux Arts Eclecticism while the additions are Modernistic. Some elements of the original design reflect a “moderne” character including the decorative motifs, and functional elements such as entrance lanterns. Although Knight Library has had three major additions (1950, 1966 and 1994), they were all built to the south (rear) façade, leaving the north (front) façade and Memorial Quad intact. For this reason, the significance of the building has not been diminished by the later additions. Since it is listed on the National Register, it is considered a primary ranked building. For further information, please refer to the National Register Nomination form for this building. NATIONAL REGISTER ELIGIBILITY ASSESSMENT Historic Significance (check one): X High _ Medium _ Low __ Very Low or None Integrity (check one): _ Excellent X Good _ Fair _ Poor Condition (check one): X Excellent _ Good _ Fair _ Poor Building designation: _ City Landmark X National Register _ National Historic Landmark _ Not listed Preliminary National Register eligibility findings Building is potentially eligible: _ Individually or _ As a contributing resource in a district only If eligible individually, applicable criteria (check all that apply): X A. Associated with significant events X C. Distinctive architecturally _ B. Associated with significant persons _ D. Archaeologically important If applicable, building qualifies under NR Criterion Considerations: _ Yes _ No If yes, which apply: N/A Building is NOT eligible: _ Intact but lacks distinction or _ Altered/loss of integrity or _ Not 50 years old Survey Form Page 3 Building Name: Knight Library DOCUMENTATION Indicate resources consulted when researching this building (check all that apply): x University archives _ UO Planning Office files x Newspapers _ Sanborn maps _ Building permits x SHPO files _ State Archives _ State Library _ State Historic Society _ Local Historic Society _ Personal interviews x Historic photographs _ Biographical encyclopedias _ Obituary indexes x Other see below BIBLIOGRAPHICAL REFERENCES Books "The Library," Ellis Lawrence Building Survey. v.2 (Eugene). Compiled by the Historic Preservation Program, School of Architecture and Allied Arts, University of Oregon; project directors, Michael Shellenbarger, Kimberly Lakin. [Salem, Or.] : State Historic Preservation Office, [1989]. Newspaper Articles “Art Work in New Library Product of Delicate Work by Grads and Professors,” Daily Emerald, 12 May 1937, 1. “Individual Study Rooms One of Many Innovations of Modern New Library,” Daily Emerald, 22 May 1937, 1. “Fifteen Sentinels Guard Library Entrances,” Daily Emerald, 3 October 1951, 8. Original Documents President’s Ad Hoc Committee on the Housing of University Library Collections. “Library Facilities at the University of Oregon,” Eugene, OR June 1979. Photos University Photograph Collection, Box 14-C, “Library - Additions, 1950,” Special Collections and University Archives, UO Libraries. University Photograph Collection, Box 14-C, “Library - Additions, 1966,” Special Collections and University Archives, UO Libraries. (See Continuation Sheet 2) RECORDING INFORMATION Researched: Erica Steverson and Sarah Helwick, Winter 2006 Recorded: Susan Johnson and University Planning Office, Summer 2006 Photo number or name: Knight Library Survey Form Page 4 Building Name: Knight Library PHOTOGRAPH SITE PLAN European Beech North Plaza Fountain and benches English Oak American Elm Light Fixtures European Beech Plume Sawara Cypress Class of 1944 East Library Garden Gift on the Occasion of Golden Anniversary Survey Form Page 5 Building Name: Knight Library HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY FORM University of Oregon Cultural Resources Survey Eugene, Lane County, Oregon Summer 2006 Continuation Sheet 1 Section Architectural History Page 1 Description/dates of major additions/alterations: First Addition: Lawrence (son, Abbot Lawrence), Tucker and Wallmann added 57,000 sq ft for additional stack space, mechanical room, elevators, stairs, ramps and Instructional Media Center in the basement, 1950. Second Addition: Claire K. Hamlin and B. King Martin added 100,000 sq ft, 1966. Third Addition: TBG Architects and Planners (Eugene); Shepley Bulfinch Richardson Abbott (Boston), design consultants added 132,000 sq ft, 1994. Asbestos abatement: 1991. Exterior restoration: 1984. Handicap ramp: 1986. Misc. interior renovations: 1950, 1951, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1975, 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2003, 2004. Survey Form Page 6 Building Name: Knight Library HISTORIC RESOURCE SURVEY FORM University of Oregon Cultural Resources Survey Eugene, Lane County, Oregon Spring 2006 Continuation Sheet 2 Section Bibliographical References Page 3 Websites RiverFront Research Park, “Amenities,” available from http://researchpark.uoregon.edu/amenities.html; Internet; accessed 13 March 2006. Teague, Edward H. “Knight Library”. The Architecture of the University of Oregon: A History, Bibliography & Research Guide. University of Oregon. Available from http://libweb.uoregon.edu/guides/architecture/oregon/library.html#; Internet; accessed 9 February, 2006. Teague, Edward H. “Knight Library Heads”. The Architecture of the University of Oregon: A History, Bibliography & Research Guide. University of Oregon. Available from http://libweb.uoregon.edu/guides/architecture/oregon/xheads.html; Internet; accessed 1 February 2006. UO Info Graphics Lab, “Campus Maps,” available from http://geography.uoregon.edu/infographics/campusMaps/LineArtMap.pdf; Internet; accessed 13 March 2006. Other National Register Nomination. Listed March 1990. Prepared by Kim Emerson, UO Historic Preservation Graduate program, 1989.