Archbold Gymnasium Special Collections Research Center

Cornerstone Laid: March 24, 1908

Architects for Original Building: Professors Frederick W. Revels and Earl Hallenbeck

Contractors: Consolidated Engineering and Construction Company of New York City

Cost: $400,000

Building Officially Occupied: December 17, 1908

First Classes Occupied: March 1, 1909

Fire Nearly Destroyed Building: January 12, 1947

Architects for New Section: Lorimer Rich and Robins Conn

Reconstructed Section Dedicated: February 12, 1952

Cost: $3 million

Renovation: 1989

Cost: $1.8 million

Notes: In 1907 the Trustees agreed to erect a gymnasium with the money to be raised by placing a mortgage on the University Block. The cost was soon revised to $300,000. The cornerstone laying took place on March 24, 1908, and the gym was officially opened on December 17, 1908 with the Junior Prom. The first classes were held in the new gym on March 1, 1909. In June 1909 John D. Archbold gave the University $300,000 to cancel the mortgage on the University Block.

The building measured 150' by 210' with the gymnasium room measuring 100' by 205'. It contained a swimming pool, rowing tank, baseball cage, and an indoor track measuring twelve laps to the mile. Bowling alleys were installed in the fall of 1911 through the generosity of John D. Archbold.

In January 1947 the building was almost completely destroyed by fire. After the fire, most of the old superstructure still standing was demolished, except for the north wing, the least damaged in the blaze. The north wing was reconstructed and remodeled starting in the spring of 1948. By February 1949 the Athletic Department returned to the building. The reconstructed rear section was not completed until1952.

In 1989, Archbold was connected to the neighboring new Flanagan Gym via a glass-enclosed bridge.

In February 2018, Archbold Gymnasium was partially demolished to create a new comprehensive health and wellness center, the Barnes Center at the Arch. The exterior design elements of the original Archbold Gymnasium were preserved by keeping the northern portion of the original building intact, and original brick and terracotta were incorporated into the new building. The Barnes Center at the Arch opened in 2019.