University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha, Oklahoma

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma report to the Getty 1 of 2 (PDF) 83.5MB

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma report to the Getty 2 of 2 (PDF) 40MB

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) was founded as an industrial institute for girls in 1908 and evolved into the Oklahoma College for Women four years later. The college was influential in helping define the scope and direction for public education for women in this country. In 1965, the site became the Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts and in 1974 was renamed USAO. It is Oklahoma's only publicly-supported liberal arts college. The historical significance of the Oklahoma College for Women led to its listing as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. Planning funds will help USAO to conduct archival research and undertake an assessment survey of the buildings and landscapes in its historic district.

University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma received a Getty grant in 2004 for $75,000 to support campus heritage planning.

Report Summary

Purpose: Planning funds will help the USAO to conduct archival research and undertake an assessment survey of the buildings and landscapes in its historic district.

Enhance the planning process and the “first” views—access to historic views plus contemporary first impression of campus, particularly the historic area, as beautiful, historic, proud, and forward-thinking. Relieve overcrowding in order to enhance student experience and reduce need to use resources for construction.

Historic Designation: The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) was founded as an industrial institute for girls in 1908 and evolved into the Oklahoma College for Women four years later, now listed as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. Health and Physical Education Building interiors feature murals by Acee Blue Eagle. Architects include Sparks; Edgar C. Smith and Josephus E. Parr; Solomon Layton and S. Wemyss Smith, and George Forsyth, and Jewell Hicks; Paul Harris; J.H. Cravens; Noftsger-Lawrence and Associates; B. Gaylord Noftsger, Clyde Noftsger, and W Martin Lawrence; J.H. Grimsley; Louis Harris. Much of the construction is by Kreipke-Schaefer Construction Co.

The Oklahoma College for Women was influential in helping define the scope and direction for public education for women in this country. In 1965, the site became USAO, Oklahoma's only publicly-supported liberal arts college.

Site list:

• Neighborhood platting (1910; designed by Sparks)
• Administration Building (1911, designed by Edgar C. Smith and Josephus E. Parr; 1962 remodeling, designed by Noftsger-Lawrence and Associates)
• Nellie Sparks Hall (1914, designed by Solomon Layton and S. Wemyss Smith; 1951 expansion, designed by Paul Harris)
• Art Annex aka Steam Plant (1916, red brick, designed by Solomon Layton and S. Wemyss Smith; 1919 addition, 1920 addition, 1923 addition, all designed by Layton and Smith)
• Biological Field Station aka Street Car Station (1917, brick; moved 1927, razed 1930-34)
• President’s Home and Garage (1919, designed by Solomon Layton and S. Wemyss Smith and by George Forsyth)
• Willard Hall (1920, designed by Solomon Layton, S. Wemyss Smith, and George Forsyth; 1923 addition)
• Fine Arts Building (1920-21, designed by Solomon Layton, S. Wemyss Smith, and George Forsyth; 1951 addition; 1969 addition)
• Sanctuary (1921)
• Gym (1920’s, Modern)
• Elaborate landscaping (1922, designed by J.H. Cravens)
• Land purchases (1922-35)
• Greek Theater (1923; razed 1960?)
• Austin Hall aka Home Economics/Domestic Science Building (1924, designed by Solomon Layton, S. Wemyss Smith, and George Forsyth; 1962 remodeling, designed by Noftsger-Lawrence and Associates)
• Grimsley Garden and Amphitheater (1926-?, designed by J.H. Grimsley; rock terraces added 1950-54)
• Health & Physical Education Building (1927, designed by Solomon Layton, Jewell Hicks, and George Forsyth)
• Susan B. Anthony Hall aka Senior Hall (1927, designed by Solomon Layton, Jewell Hicks, and George Forsyth; 1940 renamed; 1948 addition, designed by Paul Harris)
• Two building acquisitions (1928)
• Home Management House (1929, designed by Paul Harris of Enos H. Eads and Co.)
• Campus Entry (1931, brick and concrete)
• Oval Gates (1931)
• Ceramic Studio (1930-34, frame; razed)
• 17th Street Gate (1933)
• Three Cottage Dormitories: Canning Hall, Lawson Hall, Robertson Hall (1934-35, Paul Harris, Spanish Eclectic (Mission/Spanish Colonial))
• Addams Hall (1939, Spanish Eclectic (Mission/Spanish Colonial), designed by Paul Harris plus John Duncan Forsyth)
• Nash Library (1947, light brick and concrete, International Style, designed by Paul Harris and associates)
• 1950’s landscaping (designed by Louis Harris)
• Romand Gary Hall aka Home Economics Building Two (1956-57, light brick and concrete; International Style, designed by B. Gaylord Noftsger, Clyde Noftsger and W. Martin Lawrence)
• 1967 Master Plan
• Alumni Chapel (1968, blond brick, Contemporary with Gothic influence)
• Power and Heating Plant (1970, brick, Contemporary)
• South Gate (1976)
• Physical Education Center (1982, brick and concrete, Contemporary)
• Davis Hall Sculpture Garden and Administration/Austin Hall Rock Garden (1990, students)
• Lawson Courts (2002)
• Trans-ditch bridge (2002, brick)
• Mary Lyon Hall aka North Hall (frame)

Planning Process:

• Convene administrators, faculty, students for brainstorming meetings
• Determine DOCOMOMO standards for contemporary significance
• Review National Park Service preservation briefs
• Construct preservation plan
• Assess needs and prioritize, including estimated costs

Outcomes: Products

• Description of each building’s design, use, history (with illustration)
• Zoning review
• Preservation plan for each building, noting treatment, historic elements with their maintenance/repair, alterations
• Project cost estimates for landscapes and for buildings, preservation as well as development

Outcomes: Policies and Plans

• Reduce overcrowding in historic buildings by rehousing programs, particularly to Willard Hall and to Grand Place
• Ensure building additions or links are “modern and clearly differentiated from the historic buildings”
• Create Student Wellness Center by linking Health and Physical Education Building with Physical Education Complex
• Create Jane Brooks School for the Deaf by linking Canning Hall with Gary Hall
• Expand and enhance Sparks Hall, Addams Hall, and Robertson Residence Hall
• Rehabilitate Presidents Home
• Purchase Grand Avenue property south of campus to create buffer against commercial zone
• Create a Donors’ Plaza

Unique features:

• Construction influenced by Native American traditions—orientation toward sunrise
• Guidelines and rationale for “mothballing” historic buildings
• Discussion records in the form of minutes and of interview transcripts
• “The best way to preserve a historic building is to have it serve an important function.”
• Links between buildings to maximize space available while reducing overcrowding
• Focus on the President’s House as a “home” rather than a “residence”
• Consideration of a holiday lighting tradition
• Rough sketches exploring placement of campus elements (academic, housing, etc.)

Credits and Links: Campus Contact

Mr. Michael Nealeigh
Executive Director, USAO Foundation
University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma
1727 W. Alabama
Chickasha, OK 73018
Ph: (405) 574-1220
F: (405) 574-1324