AGRICULTURE BUILDING
The University of Wyoming was founded under the auspices of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890. This legislation set aside lands from the public domain to support land-grant institutions across the United States. When the University opened its doors in 1887, the College of Agriculture was a critical component of the fledgling institution. On January 24, 1913, the cornerstone was laid for the construction of the original Agriculture Hall (now the Biochemistry Building) which was completed in 1914. At that time the department launched its statewide Agricultural Extension Service (now the Cooperative Extension Service).
By 1947 demands for a new facility had grown and the Cheyenne architectural firm of Porter and Bradley was commissioned to design the new Agriculture Building. When completed in 1952, the native sandstone exterior contrasted with an entrance forcefully medieval in its references. As in many campus buildings, the mixture of eclectic and modern elements on the facade attempt to synthesize historical precedents with more recent architectural paradigms. Robert Russin's small bas relief sculptures flank the principal doorway and are also found along the facade. The building served the needs of the College of Agriculture until 1981 when a large addition was constructed to add more space for students, faculty and staff.
Centennial Celebration, September 27, 1986
