Located among towering trees on the corner of East 13th Avenue and University Street, across from the Erb Memorial Union, Collier House is easily identified by its 19th century architecture. Built 135 years ago as a private residence by physics professor George Haskell Collier, the historic landmark has undergone many changes over the decades. This month, we’re taking a look back at the building’s colorful history.

1884—Collier purchased 9.5 acres of land south of the University of Oregon campus, which then consisted solely of Deady Hall. In addition to his house, Collier also added a cherry orchard to the grounds.

1896—One year after professor Collier retired and a decade after Villard Hall was constructed, the UO purchased the property for $5,000 to be the university’s third building. South Hall, as it was called at the time, was used both as the university library—containing around 7,000 volumes—and as a home for UO president Charles Hiram Chapman and his family.

1900—The Board of Regents declared the house to be the permanent home of the university president. An additional room, bath, and sleeping porch were added.

1914—Ellis F. Lawrence, Lawrence Hall namesake and the individual responsible for creating the architecture program at the UO, redesigned the front porch and door with the help of architecture student Walter Church, BArch ’16.

1941—The official residence of the UO president was moved off campus to the McMorran House, and Collier House became the Faculty Club, complete with a library, a billiards room, a restaurant, meeting rooms, and rooms that were rented out to members of the male faculty.

1942—Ellis Lawrence moved into Collier House, and lived there until his death four years later.

1946—Lawrence died in his room at Collier House.

1963—A dining room was added, courtesy of the firm Wilmsen, Endicott, and Unthank. The third partner in the company was DeNorval Unthank Jr., BArch ’52, the first African American graduate of the School of Architecture and Allied Arts, now known as the College of Design. In addition to their work on Collier House, the company also worked on Thurston High School in Springfield and the United States National Bank of Oregon in Eugene, while Unthank worked on the building housing the UO law school, and the Lane County Courthouse. In 2017, the UO renamed Dunn Hall “Unthank Hall” in his honor.

1976—Collier House was declared a historic landmark.

2003—The Faculty Club closed, and Collier House became what it is today: a place for faculty offices, classrooms, and smaller music recitals.

—Kenzie Farrington