Baldwin Hall

[1]

Baldwin Hall is situated at the heart of Schneider Quad, formerly known as Baldwin Hall, adorned with beautiful white columns at its entrance. It was the first building constructed for the Engineering Department at the University of Cincinnati. Named for benefactor, Frances H. Baldwin, it was built in 1911 for the sole purpose of being utilized by the engineering department. [2] Baldwin, who appears to have no direct ties to the University, gave in donated between $600,000 and $700,000, the largest bequest to UC to that time in order to return something to the community that made him rich.[3] Baldwin stated simply, “I made money in Cincinnati.” [4] Under the roof of Baldwin Hall were housed several different engineering departments, all-vying for space to expand programs and teach students.

[5]

Under the direction of the Dean of the college, Herman Schneider, the school obtained murals highlighting Cincinnati and engineering achievements worldwide. [6] Schneider hoped to inspire students in their pursuit of education and fine arts. [7] Dean Schneider started the Co-operative program in the engineering which was adopted worldwide. [8] In 2001, Baldwin Hall was renovation to bring the classrooms up-to-date, expand laboratories and house the department's library. [9] Currently the building is still being utilized for engineering programs and students fill up the classrooms on a daily basis. The murals, which inhabit the library in Baldwin Hall, were saved in 1920 by a quick thinking secretary and willing students.[10]

[11]

[1] The Cincinnatian. University of Cincinnati Yearbook 1912 . UC Publications. 1912. Page 1.

[2] “Relatives Pleased With Bequest Made by Francis H. Baldwin To University”, Cincinnati Enquirer, December 3, 1917. Page 7.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] The Cincinnatian. University of Cincinnati Yearbook 1915 . UC Publications. 1915. Page 10.

[6] Mary Neihaus, "Saving Frames from Flames: Students save Baldwin artwork in 1920." UC Magazine. http://magazine.uc.edu/issues/0303/flames.html (accessed October 13, 2011).

[7] Ibid.

[8] “Dean Schneiders Co-Operative Idea of Education”, Cincinnati Times Star, March 23, 1927. Page 6.

[9] Eric Lose. "Baldwin Hall Showcase Multimillion Dollar Renovations." UC News, April 11, 2002. http://www.uc.edu/news/baldopen.htm (accessed October 13, 2011).

[10] Mary Neihaus, "Saving Frames from Flames: Students save Baldwin artwork in 1920." UC Magazine. http://magazine.uc.edu/issues/0303/flames.html (accessed October 13, 2011).

[11] Postcard from the Collection of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Greater Cincinnati Memory Project, http://www.cincinnatimemory.org/