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William the Goose

Altgeld Hall Photo
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Altgeld Hall underwent a $24 million renovation project which began in 1999 and ended with the rededication on October 7, 2004. Currently, Altgeld Hall houses the Office of the President, Academic and Student Affairs, Finance and Facilities, University Advancement & NIU Foundation, University Legal Services, University Council, Community and External Affairs, the NIU Art Museum, the Instructional Technology Teaching Laboratory, conference rooms, and an auditorium with seating capacity for 500.

  • Built between 1895 and 1899, Altgeld was originally called the "Castle on the Hill."
  • The building was renamed in 1963 for Illinois Governor John Peter Altgeld, who backed and signed the legislation creating NIU.
  • Altgeld was built in Tudor Gothic or English-castle architecture because Governor Altgeld had an eye for architecture and wanted a stately building to unify the state normal schools. Five "castles" were constructed, at the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Illinois State University, Eastern Illinois University, and NIU.