Celebrating 150 Years
When Old Main was dedicated on Nov. 14, 1888, it was a crowning achievement for the college. In the middle of Wisconsin farmlands, this college was growing. More than 100 years later, the building still stood - but time had damaged the structure.
In the 1990s, some of the structural elements of the building needed to be replaced - specifically some joists that held up the bell tower. The tradition the building stood for needed to be preserved. But, unbeknownst to many, another tradition had begun inside that building.
For years, students, alumni and faculty had left their mark on the college, by signing or carving their names on the bell tower supports. When construction crews entered the building, all of the supports were ripped out and tossed in the trash.
Seeing their importance, students fished two of the signed support beams out of the trash and gave them to faculty members Lucretia Crawford and Martha Schott - who saved them. Below are the signed sides of the supports, the signatures faded with time. Use the magnifier tool to see if you recognize any of the signatures.
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