Snow Hall, University of Kansas

Dedicated June 8, 1930, Snow Hall is home to the departments of mathematics and economics. The building shares the name of previous Snow Hall, which stood on the northwest corner of Watson Library’s lawn from 1886 to 1934. The buildings are named after Francis Snow, former KU chancellor and one of the first three University faculty members.

One of the first three faculty members at the University of Kansas, Francis Snow was a renowned scientist and field worker, and his efforts led to the acquisition of a vast collection of specimens known as the Snow Entomological Collection. The collection was first held in old Fraser Hall, but as it and the student body grew it became clear a new building had to be built. In 1885, Snow (who was now the Chancellor) obtained $50,000 from the state legislature for the construction of a new building that would hold classrooms as well as the collection. The building was completed in 1886 and named Snow Hall.

A short thirty years after its construction, Old Snow Hall suffered from structural issues stemming from a loose foundation. In addition, the building was poorly insulated for both summer and winter, had a high risk of fire, and had regular issues with insects and rats. Deeming the building unsafe for further use, Chancellor Frank Strong discontinued the use of Old Snow Hall in 1916. Construction of New Snow Hall began in 1928 after the legislature appropriated nearly $300,000 to provide the building with state-of-the-art amenities. The building was formally dedicated on June 8, 1930, and old Snow was razed in 1934.

Additions to the building were completed in 1950 and 1958, and a significant renovation took place between 1989 and 1990 that saw most of the 1958 addition converted to modern classrooms, offices, and more space for the Snow Entomological Collection. The collection has since moved to the Public Safety Building.

McCool, John H. n.d. “Snow’s Day” KU Memorial Union. Accessed July 17, 2023.

"Snow Hall", Historic Mount Oread, http://www.jayhawks.com/hmof/landmarks/snow.shtml

“Snow Hall.” KU Directory of Places, https://places.ku.edu/buildings/snow-hall

Shankel, Carol, Barbara Watkins, and Shala Stevenson, eds. 2003. Dyche Hall: University of Kansas Natural History Museum 1903-2003. Lawrence: Historic Mount Oread Fund.