Concept for the Renovation
The renovation of Alumni Hall will:

• revitalize campus life by creating new facilities that address current educational and co-curricular needs and relocate others into more functional spaces;
• celebrate a proud history by preserving a nationally important historic building, and by housing the Prairie Freedom Heritage Center, dedicated to presenting the community's Abolitionist history, its involvement in the Underground Railroad, its status as host for the fifth Lincoln-Douglas Debate in 1858, and other key aspects of the history of Knox, Galesburg and the region;
• strengthen a community partnership between the College and the surrounding communities by fostering a new level of collaboration and cooperation, by providing new cultural resources, by helping to expand heritage tourism, and by serving as a much-needed regional conference and convention facility.

The floor plans and drawings for the renovated building, prepared by the Chicago architectural firm Holabird & Root, show the functional uses and configuration of space that will accomplish these goals.

Renovation Phase I
Two economic development grants from the State of Illinois have enabled Knox to complete several important components of the project related to exterior stabilization, interior demolition, and project design. Phase I, completed in June 2004, included preliminary site and foundation work, hazardous waste removal, preliminary demolition to return the building to its original structure, window refurbishment, gutter and roof trim repair, exterior tuck-pointing, site mechanical and electrical upgrades, the retention of a bookstore consultant (the College bookstore will be housed in the lower level of the renovated building), and architect/engineering work through the design development stage.

Renovation Phase II
We are ready to move to full renovation of the building, but this will commence once commitments for full funding for the project have been secured. Fundraising for this phase is currently in the quiet stage, focused on securing individual and institutional lead gifts. A project-completing mass campaign to all alumni and friends will culminate the fundraising.

To receive more information about the renovation of Alumni Hall, contact: