[MassHistPres] NEWS FROM PRESERVE UMASS

[Joseph Larson]

From: Joseph Larson [mailto:larson at tei.umass.edu] 
Sent: Monday, October 07, 2013 10:49 AM
Subject: NEWS FROM PRESERVE UMASS

 

UMass Amherst's Old Chapel Nominated to National Register

 

On October 2 Preserve UMass (PUMA) filed forms for nomination of the Old
Chapel building to the National Register of Historic Places with the
Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) and Amherst Campus Chancellor
Kumble R. Subbaswamy. Old Chapel was declared eligible for this national
recognition by the MHC in 2007 but PUMA has been waiting for the "right
moment" to take this step, according to Professor Emeritus Joseph S. Larson,
spokesperson for PUMA.

 

"PUMA finds that the time has come to seek national recognition of this
iconic structure for four reasons: the 150th anniversary of the
establishment of the university, Chancellor Subbaswamy's fund raising
campaign to restore the interior and bring the building back into active
service, national recognition to help the fund raising effort, and national
stature will assist the university to qualify for certain historic building
waivers under state building codes", says Larson.

 

Built in 1884 as a library and assembly hall, Old Chapel has become the
iconic skyline symbol of the Amherst campus, appearing over 127 years in
countless publications, films, videos, television programs, and other news
and university media. Closed to public use in 1997 when the tower was
discovered to be badly deteriorated, in 1999 the university completed
restoration of the tower and the entire exterior, recast the tower bells and
enlarged the carillon to 43 bells.

 

Chancellor Subbaswamy has established several committees to study and make
recommendations on interior changes to make the structure useful for current
needs and to suggest appropriate uses of the basement, first and second
floors. A practice carillon keyboard is now being installed so that the
tradition of carillon bell ringing and concerts can be revived.

The Class of 1964 is marking its 50th Anniversary with a fund raising
campaign for Chapel restoration.

 

Joseph S. Larson

Corresponding Secretary

Preserve UMass

413-256-8256

larson at tei.umass.edu

 

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