Bessey Hall

Professor Charles E. Bessey was a nationally known University of Nebraska professor of botany and horticulture from 1884 to 1915, while also being interim chancellor when needed. He accomplished many things at UNL like being president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and pushing the college to being the large research university it is today. Shortly after his death, Bessey Hall was built in the spring of 1915 and named by Chancellor Avery after Bessey in honor of the most illustrious professor in University history. It is a three story building that is built of common red brick with Bedford limestone trim. Designed for botany and zoology, the building had two separate back doors for both department and the laboratories were built on the north side because Bessey believed this allowed for good soft northern light while using a microscope. The type of architecture used in this building was used on many future projects with redbrick and Bedford limestone trim. The architects of this building also built Avery Hall, CBA, and a few east campus halls. Bessey Hall was reconstructed in 1985 still retaining many of its original features and is one of the oldest buildings on campus.