Chemistry Building (Old)

The original chemistry building at UNL was the second building to be built on campus, and was built in 1885. The building was located in the current location of the Sheldon Memorial Art Museum located on 12th and R.

 

The chemistry building’s facade included a distinctive tower located at the front entrance. In 1919 the building name changed to Pharmacy Hall, after the construction of the new chemical laboratory Avery Hall. Avery was built due to an influx of students resulting in the need for more space.

 

Two prominent individuals connected to the chemistry building at UNL were Hudson Henry Nicholson the first head of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln chemistry department in (beginning in 1882) and Rachel Lloyd who was the first American woman to hold a doctorate in chemistry and eventually became an educator and department chair at UNL. Professor HH Nicholson would be known for creating one of the leading chemistry departments within the United States. He travelled to Europe to select specialized equipment necessary for the functions of the department.