In Nebraska Hall 1888-1908
Old Nebraska Hall
Erwin H. Barbour
Growth of the collections as well as growth of enrollment called for new buildings at the Nebraska University. A new building was called for, and in 1888, the collection moved into the newly-constructed Nebraska Hall. In addition to housing classrooms and offices, the collection spanned portions of three floors as well as portions being related to agriculture moving to the agricultural experiment station off campus (Schultz, 45).
Erwin H. Barbour came to Nebraska University in 1891, with a doctorate from Yale and a dedication to paleontology. He acted as the director for the collection from his arrival, receiving official status in 1893 when he was also assigned the position as State Geologist as an element of his position as Chairman of the Department of Geology. Barbour was well known for his field work, actually conducting his first field investigations during the summer of 1891 before ever teaching his first class. Of course, extensive field work led directly to even more additions to the collection, and Nebraska Hall was simply not sufficient space for all the needs (Schultz, 48). Barbour also held a passion for museums to display collections. In his work, he found a kindred spirit and lifelong friend in Regent Charles Morrill.
Barbour's most famous additions to the collection also increased the pressures of space. Ancient Nebraska was home to many forms of mammoths and mastodons, and soon the collection boasted of the largest collection of their fossils in the United States (Myers, 327-329).
A new building was needed again. Morrill, both Regent and major contributor to the university, lobbied powerfully on behalf of a new museum building, consulting often with his friend Barbour both in person and in writing.
The Museum Building was completed in 1908, assigned to hold both the museum collections and Barbour's Department of Geology. As ever, though, the collections were growing, the student body was expanding, and even this building was smaller than the requirements placed on it. It had never been considered completed; merely a wing of the future building, but the additional construction was never scheduled. Supposedly fireproof, portions of the building were damaged by fire in 1912, requiring the cleaning and replacement of many glass cases and exhibits. A wooden stairwell destroyed by the fire was replaced by iron, and the building continued to serve the needs of the museum.
Charles Morrill
Museum Building
In 1924, Barbour and Morrill began a new campaign to have a new building constructed for the museum, specifically centered on the needs for public display, rather than on a collection and museum dedicated to student use. Barbour reported to the Regents that three to four times as much material [as was housed in the Museum Building] was stored in attics, cellars, steam tunnels [all on campus] and downtown storerooms. Morrill was already retired, but wielded incredible respect and power through politicians and the university Regents Council. He was personally providing funding and political pressure in support of the university, including funding Barbour's expeditions, support for collections in the museum, and even funds for student loans for impoverished but dedicated students.
The university construction budget was the greatest obstacle, and within that budget their greatest opponent for construction funds was the Athletic Department. Despite having recently added Memorial Stadium in 1923, the Athletic Department needed an all-weather gymnasium. In 1925, construction of the Coliseum won over construction of a new museum building. Morrill was not prepared to surrender so easily. On May 1, 1925, he wrote to Barbour that he would be willing to use all the influence at his command. I wrote the Chancellor that in case nothing was done toward erecting a building from the present available funds, I serve notice that I should not consider myself under any further obligation to assist in University work and upbuilding. While he softened the blow by explaining his dedication to Museum creation and expansion for thirty-five years, the threat was clear. Without a museum, one of Nebraska University's premier supporters would remove himself, his influence, and his funding. Transcript of the Letter from Morrill to Barbour.
Their efforts were not in vain. By June 16, 1925, Morrill was writing to Barbour to congratulate him on his upcoming $350,000-plus museum. Through his ongoing influence, and despite his steadily failing health, Morrill ensured that Barbour was part of every step of planning the new museum building from the grounds to the design, and to the inclusion of modern lighting and exhibits. In April, 1926, Morrill wrote to the Chancellor detailing his inclusion of the university in his will as an equal partner with his children, and how this money was to be used for the future of the new Museum and the collections (Morrill Letter, 1925).