Archive, Manuscript & Rare Book collections are accessed in Olin Library at the Special Collections reading room.
HOURS: Monday - Friday 9:00-5:00 by appointment
LOCATION: Olin Library, 1st floor, Danforth Campus
REQUESTS / APPOINTMENTS: 314-935-5495 spec@wumail.wustl.edu
*collections stored offsite require advance notice for retrieval and use
Questions about a specific topic? Contact:
University Archives: Sonya Rooney
Rare Books: Cassie Brand
Manuscript: Joel Minor
Local History: Miranda Rectenwald
Modern Graphic History Library: Skye Lacerte
Film & Media Archive: Andy Uhrich
The first buildings on the Danforth Campus were used for the 1904 World’s Fair (officially titled the "Louisiana Purchase Exposition"). The following is a list of the buildings and their use during the fair, with their first academic use listed in parentheses.
Busch Hall: Department of Works for the Fair and was used for architects and engineers (Chemistry)
University Hall [ renamed Brookings Hall]:Administrative Building for the Fair and held staff offices (administrative)
Cupples I: Anthropology Building for the Fair and held ethnological exhibits (Engineering and Architecture)
Cupples II: Jefferson Guard Building for the Fair and held the Jefferson Guards, the Fair’s private police force (Mechanical and Electrical Engineering)
Liggett Dormitory [renamed Prince Hall]: dormitory used for Fair guests
Ridgley Library [now Holmes Lounge]: Hall of International Congresses during the Fair; the library's reading room was the focal point for social events, such as a gala ball given by West Point cadets; its second floor was a glittering display of Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee gifts
Tower Hall [renamed Lee Hall, and Umrath Hall]: used as dormitory for out-of-town students and teachers (dormitory)
Eads Hall: Board of Lady Managers’ Building - headquarters for women’s organizations(Physics)
The 1904 Olympics, the first held in North America, were conducted at the same time as the fair.
Francis Gymnasium and Francis Field were used for various events at the 1904 Olympics (Francis Field remains the University's track, the Gymnasium was replaced with a modern Athletic Complex)
For a map showing these buildings as they stood in 1904 consult Washington University in St. Louis : its design and architecture by Buford Pickens.
Most titles are avaiable through Google Books; some require a WU log-on if off campus.
Contact directly for more information: