Old Main — Attraction in State College

Neat iconic and historic building in the heart of campus. Is one of several Old Mains to have previously been on the spot, this one being my personal favourite architecturally. It is mostly an office building (I believe the president’s office is here, which is why you can see police officers roaming about), but has a neat lobby with paintings of all the past presidents of the school as well as other alum, the Land Grant Frescoes, and finally some other odds and ins and like two plaques with the names of former Penn Staters who perished fighting for freedom in the Great War, “the War to End All Wars,” and Second World War. The First World War plaque is a big tough to read with the bad lighting and bronze, but still may be made out- it’s as soon as you walk in the main doors, so don’t miss it. Worth a...

Be sure to view the historic and beautiful Land-grant Murals in the Great hall, by Henry Varnum Poor. And be careful in the wonky, old-fashioned, cage-doored elevator to the left. It is as crotchety and slow as the elevator in now-departed O.W. Houts, over at the rear of the grocery dept. Old-time locals know exactly what I am talking about! You had to close the gate and wait, before hitting the UP or DOWN button. Take the stairs if you can...that old thing is one Reluctant Dragon, with apologies to 1898 children's Author Kenneth Grahame, author of Dream Days and The Golden Age. Read them...but eschew this elevator. Or take the book with you,...

Old Main (originally called "Main Building") is The Pennsylvania State University's first building of major significance. First completed in 1867, the current incarnation of the building was completed in 1930. Today, Old Main serves as the administrative center of Penn State, housing the offices of the president and other officials. It is located in the Farmers' High School Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. Old Main (Pennsylvania State...