The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Presser Hall

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Presser Hall (three-quarter view, from the east), University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Presser Hall (detail, arcade), University of Mary Hardin-Baylor

Institution Name: University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Original/Historic Place Name: Presser Hall
Location on Campus: 904 King St.
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

1929	original construction Unknown

Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:

Foundation: concrete (slab, piers, beam)

Walls: brick (exterior); lathe and plaster (interior)

Roof: wood; metal frame; composition shingle; rubber

Function:

ca. 1929	academic department building (art, music, drama and speech)
ca. 2004-present (2007)	academic department building (fine arts, piano and organ practice rooms)

Significance: education, religion
Landmark designation:

National Register

Baylor Female College Historic District (1990)

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
Presser Music Builas designed and dedicated to the teaching of music, and it is static in this respect. Presser Hall opened on January 31, 1930. Before the Luther fire, a generous gift of $50,000 for a music center had already been given by the Presser Music Foundation of Philadelphia in recognition of the outstandingly fine work in music by the Baylor College Conservatory over the years, and especially under the direction of Professor Walter Gilewicz, who was to head the department for thirty years.

The foundation's gift had been contingent upon the College matching the fund. Mrs. H.L. Kokernot of San Antonio, who in 1919 became the first woman on the Board of Trustees of Baylor College, was joined by her husband in a $25,000 gift. Loyal students, alumnae and faculty solicited funds from friends and hometown churches to furnish the building.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

Long, Chris, and Tory Laughlin Taylor. Baylor Female College Historic District [University of Mary Hardin-Baylor]. National Register of Historic Places designation report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service, 1990.

II. Location of other data:

University: Library, Special Collections, Facilities Management Office

SHPO

Government Offices