TIMELINE: The Education Building on Bascom Hill

• 1899 – After requesting and rejecting bids from state and national architects, J.T.W. Jennings, the supervising architect for the university, designed a building in the Beaux Arts architectural style to be constructed on Bascom Hill to house the new College of Mechanics and Engineering.
• 1900 – Excavation began in March, and construction proceeded rapidly.  The first occupants moved in by October.  The building initially housed the departments of civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and mining and metallurgical engineering. 
• 1910 – West wing and full fourth floor added.  The original design called for the building to surround a courtyard by adding wings on the east, west, and north sides of the initial structure, but only one wing was ever built. 
• 1939 – The building became known as Education and Engineering, as Engineering departments began relocating near Camp Randall and the School of Education moved into the vacated space.
• 1951 – With Engineering completely moved to the Camp Randall area, the Bascom Hill facility became the Education Building.  A comprehensive renovation transformed laboratories into classrooms and offices.  The original entranceway, which consisted of an arched door framed on both sides by columns and matching windows – was replaced by the four current doors.   Fire doors were added to the lobby. 
• 1964 – The basement provided temporary quarters for the Wisconsin Research and Development Center for Learning and Reeducation, later named the Wisconsin Center for Education Research – now one of the world’s oldest, largest, and most productive education research centers.
• 1974 – The Bascom Hill Historic District – consisting of 15 buildings, including the Education Building – added to the National Register of Historic Places.  The district is home to the University's oldest buildings, in a variety of architectural styles, and serves as the centerpiece of the University of Wisconsin.
• 2003 – The UW-Madison Campus Planning Committee expresses general support for the Signature Buildings Restoration and Renewal Project – a long-term initiative to preserve and refurbish buildings in the Bascom Hill Historic District, including the Education Building.
• 2004 – UW alumni Tashia and John Morgridge pledge to fully fund the Education Building renovation and addition – a project estimated at $31 million to modernize the building, restore significant architectural features, and complete the east wing envisioned by the original architect in 1899.  Dean Charles Read of the School of Education and UW-Madison Provost Peter Spear announce the gift at a press conference on May 19, 2004.
• 2005 – Governor Jim Doyle signs the 2005-07 State Capital Budget, which includes the Education Building project.  Dean Read convenes an Education Building Plan Committee to study and recommend which departments and service units should be housed in the renovated Education Building.
• Late 2005 – After the Education Building Plan Committee completes its charge, Dean Julie Underwood appoints a second committee – with representatives from all units to occupy the building – to assist the architectural and engineering firm with the design details.
• 2006 – HGA (Hammel, Green and Abrahamson) is selected to lead the architectural and engineering team.
• Early 2007 – HGA-led teams worked through the building design phase, which included meeting with building occupants and conducting detailed studies of the building.
• Spring/Summer 2008 – HGA completed the design of the building; Education Building occupants began relocating into temporary space.

SCHEDULE: What’s Ahead

• 2008 – Later this fall, the state of Wisconsin will seek bids for major construction phase; remaining Education Building occupants will relocate.
• 2009 – Construction begins in January, continuing throughout the year.
• 2010 – Construction complete by the end of year; occupants begin to move into newly renovated Education Building.

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