1996 - Stewart Hall, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV

Stewart Hall, the fourth oldest building on the campus of West Virginia, is a regal landmark. It remains the most significant example of Romanesque Revival architecture in the Mountain State.

Stewart Hall, originally the University Library, was designed by Wilson Brothers and Company of Philadelphia. The need for a new library reflected the growth of student enrollment and expansion of West Virginia University at the turn of the century. Construction of the library began in 1900 and was completed two years later at a cost of slightly more than $100,000.

Following the construction of the much larger Wise Library in 1931, the old library became the Administration Building of the university. The Administration Building was renamed Stewart Hall in the 1970’s in honor of Irvin Stewart, president of the University from 1946 to 1958. The building still houses administrative office, including the office of the president.

The passer-by experiences a bit of history upon admiring the massive structure. The building is walled entirely by coursed Amherst sandstone blocks with rock-faced tolling. The structure consists of three primary units: a gabled central block, a gabled entrance pavilion, and, perhaps drawing attention, a monumental octagonal tower which rises 60 feet about the ground.

In 1991, the exterior of the building was restored. The project encompassed cleaning, repainting, restoring the pyramidal roof on the north tower and adding iron lights and an iron gate.

Stewart Hall was added to the Nation Register of Historic Places in 1980.