Wilson Memorial Hall was erected in1930. It’s official name was the Obed J. and Amanda Landrum Wilson Memorial Hall. The building was named after its benefactor, Amanda Landrum Wilson, who gave the funds for the building in memory of her late husband. The building’s intended use was as a commencement hall, but it became the central iconic meeting place for the University for many years.
The building was designed by architects Feccheimer and Ihorst, a Cincinnati based architecture firm that designed many other Cincinnati and UC buildings. The building cost $381,000 to construct in 1930. Today, it would cost somewhere close to $5,500,000. The project was originally slated to begin in 1918, but was put on hold until the conclusion of WWI. The war took such a toll on the US economy though, that the project was halted until 1930 when it was finally completed.
After its construction, Wilson became a central point on campus for student meetings and assemblies. Many large names graced the stage of Wilson Hall such as Barry Bishop who summited Mt. Everest, or Peter Nero, a famous pianist that would later become conductor of the Pops orchestra. Wilson was also home to UC’s famed drama program before it became a part of the College Conservatory of Music.
Wilson served in this capacity until it was closed. Due to deterioration of the structural integrity of the roof and stage, the building ceased to be used and has stood vacant ever since. There were plans in 2005 to raze the building and replace it with a Social and Behavioral Sciences Center, but UC was unable to acquire the capital necessary to undertake such a project, the building has stood vacant. The recent adoption of the UC Master plan includes future plans for Wilson, although a timeline for the iconic building remains untold.