Burton Hall, Minneapolis

Burton Hall, originally known as the Library Building, holds a distinguished spot in the U of M campus. Completed in 1894, it was the first structure built specifically to house the University’s library collection—an improvement over the previous arrangement in Old Main, a building that seemed to have a penchant for catching fire (and ultimately burned to the ground in 1904). Designed with a dual aesthetic, the building’s stately Neo-Classical exterior came from Leroy Buffington, while the Victorian interior was crafted by Charles Sedgwick. Over time, the interior has evolved, but the grand exterior remains a timeless monument.

Buffington envisioned the Library Building as a Greek temple reincarnated, clad in light gray Ohio sandstone. However, his choice of material sparked a local skirmish: Minnesota stonecutters weren’t thrilled about importing stone and argued that a prominent public building should feature local craftsmanship. A compromise was struck: Ohio sandstone it would be, but Minnesotans would cut it onsite. The resulting structure, with its carved classical figures and grand staircase, cost a then-hefty $175,000, making it one of the priciest campus constructions of its day.

More than just a repository for books, the fireproof Library Building became the University’s intellectual and cultural heart. It housed a large reading room, an expansive assembly hall seating up to 800, and even the University chapel. Beyond storing the collection, the building hosted humanities departments and administrative offices, cementing its status as a vibrant campus hub.

The Library Building served as the main library until 1924, when Walter Library took over the role on Northrop Mall. In 1931, the building was rechristened Burton Hall, in honor of Marion Burton, University president from 1917 to 1920. Since 1952, it has been home to the College of Education and Human Development, and while its interior has been thoroughly modernized, its Neo-Classical exterior has remained virtually untouched, standing as one of the few examples of that architectural style on campus.