Memorial Hall

Memorial Hall Fresco

Memorial Hall, located in the center of campus near The Funkhouser Building, has been standing tall for over 80 years. I noted that this building has hints of Neo-Palladian Architecture, a style derived from 16th century Venice, Italy. I only know this because it is one of the few things I remember learning about Architectural styles from my Arts appreciation class in high school. It’s really easy to distinguish this building because there aren’t many like this one on campus. It was built in 1929 as a memorial to those from all the Kentucky counties who served and died in World War I. It’s clock tower, which can be seen poking out from afar, is featured in UK’s logo and serves as a symbol of the University. Inside the building, there is a fresco painted by Ann Rice O’Hanlon, completed in 1934, that depicts historical images that have sparked recent controversy from 19th century Lexington and central Kentucky. Further inside the building, the main auditorium was named after a former Kentucky governor and former chair of the UK board of Trustees, Edward T. Breathitt, on May 4th, 2004. 

Today, It is used for performances, lectures, graduations, and many other events. Behind Memorial Hall is the Memorial Hall Amphitheater which I admire every time I walk by. I personally thought it was beautiful how they integrated this into campus. Aside from that, this building is probably my favorite due to it's simple architectural beauty that's so unique from all the other buildings. It's pretty much the first building I notice when I get to campus. Hopefully they 

preserve it and never knock it down to make room 

-Memorial Hall

for more overpriced dorms.

I was left with several questions about this building such as:

• If the Fresco contains depictions of racism, why it still there? 
• why was this specific building chosen to be in UK’s logo?

-Memorial Hall Amphitheater

Sources:

Info from:

http://www.uky.edu/CampusTour/

1.) Memorial Hall Fresco Picture:

Memorial Hall, 2010, Lexington, KY <http://ukcc.uky.edu/cgi-bin/dynamo?maps.391+campus+0049>

2.) Memorial Hall picture:

Kentucky Kernel, Framing Memorial Hall, 2009, Lexington, KY, <http://kykernel.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/pg2.jpg>, 

3.) Amphitheater picture:

Utturi, Francesca, 2014