Cartwright Hall

Cartwright Hall Originally submitted by Bergen Quaerna on October 20, Drake University

Drake Law School is one of the oldest law schools in the nation. It was originally founded as the Iowa Law School in 1865. When Drake University was established in 1881, the Iowa Law School became Drake Law School.

[1] Drake Law School was originally housed in Carnegie Hall.[2]

The Namesake

Cartwright Hall was named after Mr. and Mrs. Harold G. Cartwright. Mr. Cartwright was a 1925 graduate of the Drake Law School and was also a University Trustee member. He worked in Marshalltown as a partner at the Cartwright, Druker, and Ryden Law Firm. The Cartwrights donated more than $1,000,000 to support the establishment of a Drake Law School building.[3]

In addition to their gracious donation for the building,

the Cartwright couple also donated $27,500 over the course of ten years to pay for books for the law school's library.

[4]

The Groundbreaking and Construction The groundbreaking for the Cartwright Hall building was held on May 10, 1974.[5] The contractor was King-Bole Incorporation from Des Moines, Iowa.[6] The architect for the Cartwright Hall building was Edward Larrabee Barnes, from the Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in New York City.[7] Barnes, a nationally known architect, also designed buildings for Princeton University, University of Chicago, and Harvard Divinity School.[8]

The Building

Cartwright Hall is located on the Northeast corner of 27th Street and Carpenter Avenue in Des Moines . The building has a total of 39,400 square feet.[9] The law school contains a 160 seat lecture hall, two rooms with 80 seats, two classrooms with 60 seats, a 20 person room for seminars, a total of 20 offices for faculty members, two separate areas for secretary staff, a courtroom, a meeting room, a study lounge, a library, and a special bookstore operated by students.[10]

The building also features the David S. Kruidenier Courtroom. Kruidenier was a Des Moines businessman and a Drake University trustee

member.

[11] The courtroom allows students to receive a vivid hands-on experience to enhance their learning of courtroom processes.[12] Cartwright Hall features a long staircase between the first and second floors. On the second floor, there is a tapestry by Jack Youngerman from New York City.[13] The tapestry is bright red, yellow, and blue. The building also contains a patio-balcony paved with bricks and two planters with lilac bushes.[14]

The Opening

On April 10, 1976, Cartwright Hall was opened. The Formal Opening consisted of a recognition luncheon, many guest speakers, multiple building tours, and an opening ceremony. Attendees were charged $5.00 for the entire Formal Opening.[15] The ceremony was attended by Dr. Wilbur C. Miller, who was the Drake University President, and by John D. Scarlett, who was the Dean of the Drake Law School. Associate Justice Byron R. White of the U.S. Supreme Court spoke at the luncheon . John D. Scarlett commented on the opening of the law school, "Now we have the first-class facilities to match the quality of our teaching and research programs. Cartwright Hall will enable us to enhance legal education and our service to the bar."[16]

References:

1. News Services. (1976, April 10). For release 3 p.m. Saturday, April 10, 1976. [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University. 28-30.
2. Ground-breaking is Friday for new Drake Law School.// (1974,May 8). [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. //Drake Times-Delphic. pp. 1.
3. Cartwright law building opens formally tomorrow//. (1976, April 9). [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. //Drake Times-Delphic. pp. 6.
4. Brief description of Cartwright Hall. (n.d.). [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University.
5. Ground-breaking is Friday for new Drake Law School.// (1974,May 8). [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. //Drake Times-Delphic. pp. 1.
6. Drake opens $2.5 million Cartwright Hall//. (1976, April 10). //The Times-Republican. [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. pp. (still looking).
7. News Services. (n.d.). Facts about Harold G. Cartwright Hall. [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University.
8. News Services. (1972, April 28). For release: 10 p.m. Saturday, April 29, 1972. [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University. 29-30.
9. News Services. (n.d.). Facts about Harold G. Cartwright Hall. [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University.
10. Cartwright law building opens formally tomorrow//. (1976, April 9). [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. //Drake Times-Delphic. pp. 6.
11. Drake opens $2.5 million Cartwright Hall//. (1976, April 10). //The Times-Republican. [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. pp. (still looking).
12. News Services. (n.d.). Facts about Harold G. Cartwright Hall. [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University.
13. Drake opens $2.5 million Cartwright Hall//. (1976, April 10). //The Times-Republican. [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. pp. (still looking).
14. News Services. (n.d.). Facts about Harold G. Cartwright Hall. [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University
15. Formal opening Harold G. Cartwright Hall. (n.d.). [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. Des Moines, IA: Drake University.
16. Drake opens $2.5 million Cartwright Hall//. (1976, April 10). //The Times-Republican. [Cowles Library Archive - Cartwright Hall File]. pp. (still looking).