Thorvaldson Building - Construction
- A-4923
- Item
- [ca. 1966]
Looking northeast at Thorvaldson Building at centre with scaffolding at left.
Thorvaldson Building - Construction
Looking northeast at Thorvaldson Building at centre with scaffolding at left.
Marquis Hall, Arts Building and Chemistry Building
Looking west across the Bowl at campus buildings (l to r): Marquis Hall, Arts Building, and Chemistry (Thorvaldson) Building.
College of Arts and Science Building - Exterior
Looking east at Arts Building; Thorvaldson Building in background.
Arts-Commerce-Law Complex Building - Exterior
View as seen from the Thorvaldson Building; curved pathway in foreground.
Chemistry Building - Construction
Looking northeast at the Chemistry Building as exterior nears completion. Man works on a window above front door.
Bio/Historical Note: The Department of Chemistry was established in 1910, and in 1912 conducted its first laboratory instruction in a poorly ventilated space in the basement of the College Building. The Chemistry Building opened in 1924 and was one of the last of the original stone collegiate gothic buildings designed by the Montreal architect David Brown. The building was sheathed in greystone and the façade has a castellated roof line and an arched portal. The four-storey building was built to house the colleges of Home Economics and Pharmacy, and the Department of Chemistry. It was the most elaborate of the early campus buildings. Designed specifically to meet the needs of teaching and research in chemistry, it was a far cry from the makeshift laboratories in the basement of the College Building and reflected the confidence of the 1920s. It faced not inward toward the Bowl and the original buildings, but outward to what was expected to be an expanding future. Dubbed by one critic as an “expensive show to make an impressive front,” it was to have a second identical north wing but depression and war brought a halt to all thoughts of capital expansion. The first floor was composed almost entirely of classrooms, with two small laboratories. An auditorium was located on the second floor, with a tile dome rising 68 feet, as well as laboratories featuring acid-proof lining on all fume vents and drains. Storerooms were located in the basement, with a sub-basement containing the ventilation, heating and sewage systems. The Chemistry Building was finally expanded with a second wing and was renamed in honour of Dr. Thorbergur Thorvaldson, professor and dean of Chemistry from 1919-1959. The Thorvaldson Building opened on 6 June 1966.
Chemistry Building - Opening Ceremonies
Crowd gathered in front of the Chemistry Building; [F.W.G. Haultain, University Chancellor], addressing the crowd.
Looking northeast at the front entrance of Chemistry Building; newly planted trees in front.
Looking west at rear of Chemistry Building.
Elevated view looking northeast at campus buildings (l to r): Chemistry Building, Physics Building and Kirk Hall.
Looking northeast at Chemistry Building.
Looking northwest across the Bowl at the Chemistry Building; crowd of people stands at centre. Union Jack flag flies from top of building.
Murray Memorial Library and Chemistry Building
Looking north at north wing of Murray Memorial (Main) Library and Chemistry Building; trees in foreground.
Looking west across the Bowl. Campus buildings (l to r): Arts Tower, Chemistry Building, Biology Building, Physics Building.
Looking northeast at Chemistry Building; cars parked in front.
Looking northeast at Chemistry Building.