Campus: IU Bloomington
In 2013, the mission to revive and repurpose the historic buildings in the “Old Crescent” area of IU Bloomington’s campus was finally realized, beginning with updating and repurposing a room in Franklin Hall which is now known as Presidents Hall.
Built in 1907, this space first served as the Grand Reading Room in the Second University Library building and renamed Joseph Amos Franklin Hall in 1988. After the library was relocated in 1969, Presidents Hall served other purposes, including use by the Office of the Registrar as the place where students registered for classes. As part of the university’s initiative to restore the Old Crescent’s historic spaces in 2013, Presidents Hall was completely renovated and outfitted with new ventilation systems, lighting, infrastructure, and accessibility to ramps, elevators, and restrooms.
One of the most eye-catching feature of the room are the 17 portraits of the past university presidents hung on the walls. This exhibition marks the first time in the university’s history where all of the paintings are hung in chronological order in one room.
Today, Presidents Hall is used for guest lectures, symposia, and often hosts formal events.
