The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Pew Learning Center and Ellison Library

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Pew Learning Center and Ellison Library (library entrance), Warren Wilson College

Pew Learning Center and Ellison Library (view from the northeast), Warren Wilson College

Pew Learning Center and Ellison Library (view from the east), Warren Wilson College

Institution Name: Warren Wilson College
Original/Historic Place Name: The Library
Location on Campus: 102 Lower College Rd.
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

1965	original construction Lord, Anthony Lord & Lord
1978	lower level terrace enclosed as a reading room Unknown
1985	extension Unknown
1999	renovation Ferrell, Steve

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

Foundation: concrete

Walls: stone; wood; hardwood; glass

Roof: composition fiberglass shingle

Function:

1965-present (2007)	library
ca. 2004-present (2007)	other (archives and Learning Center)

Significance: architecture, education, history
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
The Library was built in 1964 and the lower floor enclosed in 1965 with funds provided by the Public Welfare Foundation, the Rachel Grace Estate and the Warren Wilson Development Fund. The lower level terrace was enclosed as a reading room in 1978. An extension was completed in 1985 with gifts from the J. Howard Pew Freedom Trust and Public Welfare Foundation. A major renovation was done in 1999 with gifts from the Dornick Foundation, Inc.; Claude D. Vannoy; alumnus of 1935; Howell T. Ferguson, Chair Board of Trustees Warren Wilson College; Hillsdale Fund, Inc.; Kathleen Price Bryan Family Fund; Trustees, Arthur S. Link, and Mr. and. Mrs. Charles F. Cole. The architect for this major renovation was Steve Ferrell of Ferrell and Hargrove, Asheville, North Carolina.

In addition to the library, the building now houses the archives of the college, and has reading/study rooms and a computer center.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

Holden, Reuben A. Warren Wilson College: A Centennial Portrait. [Swannanoa, NC: Warren Wilson College,] 1994.

Jensen, Henry W. A History of Warren Wilson College: On the Occasion the College's Eightieth Anniversary. [s.l.: s.n.,] 1974.

Martin, Elizabeth G., comp. The Buildings of Warren Wilson College. [s.l.: s.n.,] 1972.

II. Location of other data:

University: Library, Special Collections