MU’s Swallow Hall will host a grand reopening on Thursday after being closed since May 2014 for renovations. The renovations cost $16.9 million. The hall is located on Francis Quadrangle, and it was originally built in 1893. It will be home to the Department of Anthropology and the Department of Art History and Archaeology.
The exterior of the hall was preserved but the interior was refurbished and a supplementary 8,349 square feet of space was added. Much of the new space comes from the expansion of the eastern side of the hall facing Ninth Street and the addition of a functional attic and basement.
Campus Facilities, Planning, Design and Construction director Heiddi Davis said one of the largest renovations in the hall was the replacement of the original flooring.
“The wood was from 1893. It was very creaky, which has its charm, but it doesn’t have the longevity that we could continue to keep it,” Davis said.
Campus Facilities maintained aspects of the original flooring and walls, but added stronger materials to preserve them. They also implemented a central air conditioning system and added a lecture hall.
The chair of the Department of Anthropology Lisa Sattenspiel said she appreciates how the hall is now a mixture of old and new.
“I really like the way they retained elements of the old building to satisfy the yearnings of those of us who were here before, and, yet, it’s new,” Sattenspiel said. “It’s clearly 21st century, but it retains the old.”
Swallow Hall is now home to some of the Department of Art History and Archaeology’s many collections of artwork, which are worked into the design of the building. Greek, Roman, medieval and Renaissance sculptures and art are displayed on each level of the hall. Mizzou North, however, will retain the Museum of Anthropology.
The chair of the Department of Art History and Archaeology Sue Langdon said she hopes these art collections will encourage students to visit the building.
“We’re just thrilled to have them in the building with us and hope it is something that will bring more people in here and also makes them think about going out to Mizzou North and finding more of these,” Langdon said. “It’s a great way of seeing things that they normally won’t see in their everyday lives.”
The Department of Art History and Archaeology and the Department of Anthropology are also adjusting to their new shared space. This is the first time the two departments are in a common building.
Langdon said that so far the process has been smooth, and she notices the two departments frequently interacting with each other.
“I know that departments can sometimes be a little territorial about their buildings, but anthropology has been the most wonderful and welcoming group,” Langdon said. “I think this is going to be a great experience for everybody to hear about their work and meet new people.”
-This story was amended to correct the spelling of Sattenspiel.