University of Illinois Experimental Dairy Farm Historic District
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| University of Illinois Experimental Dairy Farm Historic District | |
|---|---|
| (U.S. Registered Historic District) | |
 |
|
| Location: | Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois, USA |
| Coordinates: | |
| Area: | 60 acres (24 ha) |
| Built/Founded: | Various[1] |
| Architect: | Kell & Bernard, James M. White[2] |
| Architectural style(s): | Round barns, Tudor Revival, American Craftsman [1] |
| Added to NRHP: | February 4, 1994[3] |
| Reference #: | 94000030 |
| MPS: | MPL001 - Round Barns in Illinois Thematic Resources |
| Governing body: | University of Illinois |
The University of Illinois Experiemental Dairy Farm Historic District is a designated historic district in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is located on the campus of the University of Illinois in Urbana, Illinois. The district consists of eight contributing structures and several non-contributing structures. The district was designated in 1994 when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Multiple Property Submission concerning Round Barns in Illinois. Three of the district's buildings are early 20th century round barns constructed between 1908 and 1912.[1] The district covers a total area of 60 acres.[2]
Contents |
[edit] Establishment history
The University of Illinois Experimental Dairy Farm was established as a Registered Historic District on February 4, 1994. The nomination form to the National Register of Historic Places was dated December 22, 1993 and filled out by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.[1]
[edit] Boundaries
The area that encompasses the district is set upon a ridge top and has been popularly known as South Farms. On the north the area is bordered by St. Mary's Road, a fence to the south and west and a treeline on the east side.[1] The area to the north of the district building's is pasture dotted with a few a university buildings. Open land is found to the east of the district. A variety of plant life surrounds the site as well.[1]
[edit] Architecture
Many of the smaller outbuildings included in the historic district have no particular architectural style.[1] The main structures in the district, the three round barns and the Manager's House, however, all have distinct architectural design elements from classifications within their unique structure types. The Manager's House combines elements from Tudor Revival and American Craftsman architecture. While the barns are not of a style, per se, they do represent a design movement within American agriculture. The movement that popularized round barns, was, in part, due to the promotion of the design by the university and its round barns.
[edit] Structures
While the property information report from the state of Illinois asserts that there are eight contributing structures, the actual original nomination form lists seven total structures with only four contributing, the three barns and the Manager's House.[2][1] Four other structures detailed on the nomination are listed as non-contributing, they are, "Cow Shed," Dairy Laboratory, "Storage," and a 1950s era garage with the house.[1]
[edit] Manager's House
This 1908 residential building combines elements from Tudor Revival and American Craftsman architectural styles. The square plan, two-story structure has a full basement and a brick and stucco foundation.[1]
[edit] Round Barns
The round barns at the University of Illinois played a special role in the promotion and popularity of the American round barn. The University of Illinois was home to one of the Agricultural Experiment Stations at U.S. universities which were at the heart of the promotion of the round barn.[4][5] At least one round barn in Illinois was built specifically after its owner viewed the barns at the university.[4] Though originally an experiment the three barns helped to lead the way for round barn construction throughout the Midwest, particularly in Illinois.[6]
[edit] History
The three round barns in the historic district were the inspiration of Wilbur J. Fraser. Fraser was the first head of the Department of Dairy Husbandry from 1902 - 1913. He was also a strong advocate of the round barn which he said offered the "economy of consideration, low maintenance, and labor efficiency." Fraser asserted that round barns had a better ability to withstand Midwest windstorms as well.[7] One barn was erected in 1907-08, 1912 and the third c. 1913, sources vary as to exact dates.[1][6] The barns were engineered by and designed by James M. White and Kell & Bernard. The first barn was built around 1907 or 1908 and was known as the Twenty Acre Dairy Barn; it was erected at a cost of $3,200. The 1912 Dairy Horse Barn set the university back an additional $2,000 and the 1913 Dairy Experiment Barn was the most expensive at $11,000.[6]
[edit] Non-contributing
Of the eight structures on site half of them are non-contributing to the historical integrity of the small historic district. There are three one story rectangular buildings, the 1951 Garage, the pre-1934 Storage Building, and the post 1950 Cow Shed. The 1956 Dairy Laboratory in a one story "L" plan building.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, (PDF), University of Illinois Experimental Dairy Farm Historic District, HAARGIS Database, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Retrieved 30 January 2007.
- ^ a b c U of I Dairy Farm Historic District, Property Information Report, HAARGIS Database, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Retrieved 10 February 2007.
- ^ NRIS Database, National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved 10 February 2007
- ^ a b Raymond Schulz Round Barn, (PDF), National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form, HAARGIS Database, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Retrieved 9 February 2007.
- ^ Auer, Michael J. The Presevation of Historic Barns, Preservation Briefs, National Park Service, first published October 1989. Retrieved 10 February 2007.
- ^ a b c Round Barns, U of I: A History of Campus, University of Illinois. Retrieved 10 February 2007.
- ^ Campus Landmarks, The Round Dairy Barns, University of Illinois. Retrieved 10 February 2007.
