Building History
The Hemingway Center building is the second oldest building on campus. Designed by Hummel architects and built with WPA funding in 1941, it originally served as “Assembly Hall.” Here, convocations, graduations, performances, concerts and school dances occurred.
Flexible in purpose and centrally located, Assembly Hall was long the heart of campus. Boise Junior College graduations were held there every Spring from 1942 until 1955.
The Sound of Music
In 1953, Charles Griffith Bratt raised funds to install the Laura Moore Cunningham Memorial Organ, on which he performed Sunday organ concerts for many years. In the 1960s, it was designated as the Auditorium or Music Auditorium; by 1975, it was the Music Building.
In 1986, the building was dedicated to the Hemingway family name as “an educational research and exhibition center” by University President Kaiser.
Photo Gallery
For decades, this iconic building hosted commencements, classes, speakers and countless concerts, recitals and performances.
Click through the photo gallery for a peek into the building’s past.