Industrial Education Building, Mississippi State University
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
The Industrial Education Building is the oldest academic building on the Mississippi State University campus. Built in 1900, the building was originally known as the Textile Building at the time of its construction. It was built as part of the campus of the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College, an institution that would later grow into Mississippi State University. The building was later known as the Textile and Seed Building before the textile college closed, opening the building for new uses. Today, it is home to the Instructional Systems and Workforce Development Department.
Images
As an agricultural college, the Seed Technology Lab was one of the university's most important contributions
A historic picture of the building, taken in 1920
Another historic picture showing the back of the building
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
The oldest academic building on campus, the Industrial Education Building is often referred to as the "Twin Towers Building" due to the two historic towers that define the building's structure. As an agricultural college, the building was one of the anchors of the campus, with laboratories studying the industrial uses of cotton and ways to promote crop development. The Seed Technology Lab was also one of the university's most important contributions. Today, as the college focuses more on preparing a modern labor force, the building continues to serve a vital function as the home of the Instructional Systems and Workforce Development Department.
The building was originally constructed in 1900 and known as the Textile Building. This is because it was first used to house the textile school of the institution then known as the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College, which would grow to be known as Mississippi State University. The building eventually became known as the Textile and Seed Building, but overall, the textile school was short-lived. The textile school shut down in 1914 due to low enrollment, dismantling its machinery and leaving the building open for other uses.
The building itself is architecturally significant. Built in the Mission Style, it also possesses some Italianate features. With two distinct towers and three exterior arches, the building's unique style sets it apart from other campus structures. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The history of the building also makes it a monument to industrialization in the area, showcasing the growth of the community in manufacturing and production. With its history of research on cotton production and usage, the building made a large impact on agriculture in the surrounding areas, impacting the community in ways still seen today.
The building was originally constructed in 1900 and known as the Textile Building. This is because it was first used to house the textile school of the institution then known as the Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College, which would grow to be known as Mississippi State University. The building eventually became known as the Textile and Seed Building, but overall, the textile school was short-lived. The textile school shut down in 1914 due to low enrollment, dismantling its machinery and leaving the building open for other uses.
The building itself is architecturally significant. Built in the Mission Style, it also possesses some Italianate features. With two distinct towers and three exterior arches, the building's unique style sets it apart from other campus structures. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The history of the building also makes it a monument to industrialization in the area, showcasing the growth of the community in manufacturing and production. With its history of research on cotton production and usage, the building made a large impact on agriculture in the surrounding areas, impacting the community in ways still seen today.
Sources
1. Historic photos from the MSU Library: http://digital.library.msstate.edu/cdm/search/collection/uac/searchterm/Industrial%20Education%20Building/field/box/mode/exact#_ga=1.37506656.1184777230.1448222187
2. Agricultural Engineering Building. MS State. Accessed July 28, 2019. https://msstate.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/uac/id/13669/rec/3.
3. Exhibits. MS State. Accessed July 28, 2019. http://lib.msstate.edu/exhibits/msu-buildings.
4. Baughn, Jennifer. Textile Building. MDAH. July 28, 2010. Accessed July 28, 2019. https://www.apps.mdah.ms.gov/Public/prop.aspx?id=24687&view=facts&y=1176.
5. Industrial Education and Seed Laboratory. MS State. Accessed July 28, 2019. https://map.msstate.edu/?id=233#!t/990:7?ct/6665,7602,2396,2398,2399,2401,2400,7257,2397,7090,7088,2402,5465,7362.
2. Agricultural Engineering Building. MS State. Accessed July 28, 2019. https://msstate.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/uac/id/13669/rec/3.
3. Exhibits. MS State. Accessed July 28, 2019. http://lib.msstate.edu/exhibits/msu-buildings.
4. Baughn, Jennifer. Textile Building. MDAH. July 28, 2010. Accessed July 28, 2019. https://www.apps.mdah.ms.gov/Public/prop.aspx?id=24687&view=facts&y=1176.
5. Industrial Education and Seed Laboratory. MS State. Accessed July 28, 2019. https://map.msstate.edu/?id=233#!t/990:7?ct/6665,7602,2396,2398,2399,2401,2400,7257,2397,7090,7088,2402,5465,7362.