South side of the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium

Description:	Trees and shrubs grow on either side of the main entrance to the James Irving Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium, and a sign for the structure is located in the grass nearby. The aluminum dome was added in 1984, replacing the original laminated wood dome, which needed to be changed after several decades of exposure to Indiana weather. In 2015, the aluminum dome was updated, allowing both it and the telescope to be operated remotely, and failsafe mechanisms were added to protect the telescope. Monetary gifts from Dr. Frank Levinson (Class of 1975) helped to fund the project as well as a telescope refurbishment. Construction of the Indiana limestone building took approximately 18 months and fill dirt from the Ross Hall construction site (building opened September 12, 1954) was moved to this location, a high plot of land at the entrance to Holcomb Gardens. Dedicated on Friday, November 5, 1954, the structure was designed and planned by Arthur F. Lindberg, Butler University Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds; J. I. Holcomb, Vice President of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Buildings and Grounds Committee; Dr. Harry E. Crull, Professor of Mathematics and Head of the Department of Mathematics; Robert Frost Daggett, consulting architect; and the firm of Ammerman, Davis and Stout, consulting engineers. On the dedication day, morning classes were shortened, and afternoon classes were cancelled so people could attend the dedication convocation, which was a part of the Homecoming festivities and the start of the celebrations for the Universitys centennial year. Reports vary, but the estimated cost of the building and the telescope was between $325,000 and $350,000, and J. I. and Musetta Holcomb provided the funding for the project. The building includes a central tower topped with a dome housing a 38-inch Cassegrainian reflector telescope manufactured by J. W. Fecker, Inc., a planetarium in the west wing, and a lecture room in the east wing. Dr. Crull became the first Director of the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium and according to the November 1957 edition of Butler Reports, an estimated 90,000 people visited the structure during its first three years (p. 7).
Source:	http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/BldgsGrnds/id/2842
Collection:	Butler University Buildings and Grounds Collection
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Copyright:	In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
Geography:	Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 39.840972, -86.171255 39.840972 -86.171255
Subjects:	Observatories Planetariums Observatory domes Signs and signboards Trees Shrubs Butler University--Buildings College buildings Butler University--History Indianapolis (Ind.)--History Bushes James Irving Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium Holcomb Observatory Fairview campus

Further information on this record can be found at its source.