115 S DREW ST

115 S DREW ST

Outagamie

Appleton

1910

2005,2024

university or college building

Neoclassical/Beaux Arts

Limestone

No

Additional map codes are: 10/11. Related buildings: OU 31/14, 16-17, 22, 30; OU 32/11; OU 73/29-30. Brokaw Hall is a large I-shaped, three and one-half story, hip-roofed, Classical revival style structure constructed of rock-faced, random ashlar. The facade faces east and is composed of a five-bay central block with projecting, four-bay pavilions on the ends. The building is fenestrated with regularly-spaced, segmentally arched windows with stone sills. The original sash have been replaced with small, one-over-one sash with infill panels. A classical, modillion cornice girds the eaves. The focal point of the facade is the two-story, semi-circular Ionic portico that shelters the double rear entrance with its wide sidelights and deep segmentally arched entablature. The other elevations are utilitarian in character except for a pedimented Ionic portico that shelters the side entrance. Brokaw Hall is a fine example Classical Revival style institutional architecture illustrating the adaptation of the style to reflect local building traditions in its use of rough-faced, random ashlar, limestone masonry. Like other 20th century structures on the campus, this building was consciously designed to reflect the architecture of Main Hall, the historic focal point of Lawrence University which this building faced across a wide lawn. Main Hall had been given a "Colonial" facelift in the early 1900s to give it a look of greater antiquity and architectural distinction. Brokaw Hall was one of the first major buildings constructed as part of a scheme to give the growing school the fashionable colonial look then in vogue for exclusive private schools in the east and to emphasize the college's historic ties to New England. The Classical Revival style, of which this is an example, was often thought of as a "Colonial" style in the early 20th century. 2005--This building was previously surveyed in 1991 and no major exterior changes have occurred since that time--other than additional metal fire escapes. 2024: Resurveyed, appearance unchanged.

Marguerite Schumann, Creation of a Campus (1957). Charles Breunig, "A Great and Good Work": The History of Lawrence University, 1847-1964 (1994). Architecture and History Survey. May 2005. Prepared by Heritage Research, Ltd.

Not Listed

Yes