Peabody Memorial Library

The Peabody Memorial Library is the first separate college library building in Texas. Located east of Austin Hall and the Old Main Memorial in central campus, it is the university's oldest building constructed after its founding in 1879. Designed by J. L. O'Connor and built in less than year, the tiny building continued to carry the name honoring Peabody and his Southern Education Fund. Built at a cost of just over $9000, the building was constructed in the shape of a cross (65 x 85 ft.). Inside was the reading room, with decorated arched ceiling and fireplace; a cloakroom; and office space. The exterior was dotted with stained glass windows, similar to those found in the nearby Main Building. In subsequent years the Peabody has become a social center similar to Austin Hall, available for receptions, meetings, and special events. Incidentally, two items that were once located in the Memorial Hall of Old Main (prior to the 1982 blaze that destroyed Old Main) survived the fire and have since been on display within the Peabody. First, the statue of the goddess Athena spent most of the late 1990s in the Peabody, until it returned to the art department in 2004. In 2007, the 113-year-old refurbished Old Main organ was moved into the Peabody.