Oregon State University

Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon

Oregon State University report to the Getty (Website)

Established in 1868 as Oregon's first land grant institution, Oregon State University acquired its current name in 1927. Little remains of the nineteenth-century campus, but the University retains many of the characteristics of the 1909 Olmsted Brother's plan designed to promote "architectural harmony." Spanning 570 acres, the campus boasts Romanesque-Richardsonian and Neoclassical buildings, balanced by campus quads, pedestrian paths and tree-lined streets. Thirteen of the campus' buildings are listed locally by the City of Corvallis. Grant funds will support the creation of a comprehensive Historical Preservation Plan.

Oregon State University received a Getty grant in 2006 for $190,000 to support campus heritage planning.

Report Summary

Purpose: Grant funds will support the creation of a comprehensive Historical Preservation Plan.

The Plan will “preserve the continuity and harmony of the campus, encourage landscape, provide documentation of best practices, support educational programs for students and staff, define goals and processes for work on the campus” reflecting new directions alongside compatibility

Also create inventory historic resources, write guidelines and policies promoting preservation, develop a facilities resource database, and create an educational program

Historic Designation: As of June 25, 2008, 59 campus buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places as contributing to the significance of an Oregon State University Historic District. At least 13 of the campus' buildings are listed locally by the City of Corvallis.

Oregon Territory sold land to fund a territorial university, complying with the Donation Land Act of 1850. Financing was not available until 1858, when the formerly Baptist Corvallis Academy became Oregon’s first land-grant institution. John Olmsted of Olmsted Brothers Landscape Design firm created the original campus plan. Spanning 570 acres, the campus boasts Romanesque-Richardsonian and Neoclassical buildings, balanced by campus quads, pedestrian paths and tree-lined streets. A.D. Taylor designed later campus landscaping; John V. Bennes designed the architecture of 50 early buildings.

Planning Process

• Identify previous campus master plans and relevant building periods
  • 1909-25: Olmsted Brothers plan, with architecture by John V. Bennes
  • 1926-44: A.D. Taylor plan #1
  • 1945-57: A.D. Taylor plan #2
  • 1965- : Physical Development Plan
• “Reconaissance Level Survey”—campus inventory
• “Intensive Level Survey”—assessment, applying selected criteria from Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for significance and contribution
  • Construction Date
  • Architect’s Stature
  • Adherence to previous master plans and
  • Sufficient integrity retained as to convey history

Outcomes: Products

• Standard [Oregon] Reconnaissance Level Survey—inventory of campus buildings
• Intensive Level [Oregon] Survey—designation of campus buildings significant for or contributing to the campus identity

Outcomes: Policies and Plans

• For any new campus project, consult the preservation recommendations as soon as possible (i.e., as part of early planning)
• Project review/update every 2-5 years

Unique features:

• Integration of state (Oregon Historic Preservation Office), city (Corvallis Register of Historic Landmarks and Districts), and OSU project policies
• List of demolished buildings
• Assignment of designer and style to general campus periods, rather than to individual buildings
• Significance based on continuity of campus rather than historical campus events or individuals
• Insistent recommendation for project review/update every 2-5 years
• Concrete, detailed pre-design requirements (recommendations)
  • Historic Resource Report
  • Historic Building Condition Assessment
  • Schematic Design (visual orientation)
• Glossary

Advisors

The project relied on 5 university representatives: Project Director--Vincent Martorello, Dir. Facilities Services; Project Manager--Patty MacIntosh, Campus Planning Mgr., Facilities Services; Campus/Intern Coordinator--Robert Monasky, Facilities Services Land Use Analyst; Larry Landis, University Archivist; Project Assistant--Susan Padgett, Campus Planner, Facilities Services

Three contractors supplemented the university group:

• Peter Meijer of Peter Meijer Architect (Prime Consultant)
• Kimberli Fitzgerald (Historic District Nomination Coordinator)
• Scot Siegel of Siegel Planning Services (Zoning Code Consultant)

Credits and Links: Campus Contact

Patty McIntosh [Project Manager]
Campus Planning Manager
OSU Historic Preservation / OSU Facilities Services
Oregon State University
130 Oak Creek Building
Corvallis, OR 97331
Ph: (541) 737-0917
E: Patty.mcintosh@oregonstate.edu

David Dodson
Senior Planner
OSU Historic Preservation / OSU Facilities Services
Oregon State University
130 Oak Creek Building
Corvallis, OR 97331
Ph: (541) 737-8503
E: David.dodson@oregonstate.edu

Susan Padgett
Campus Planner
OSU Historic Preservation / OSU Facilities Services
Oregon State University
130 Oak Creek Building
Corvallis, OR 97331
Ph: (541) 737-9999
E: Susan.padgett@oregonstate.edu