UF's campus is living history.
UF officials received word Tuesday that nine UF sites were recognized by the National Register of Historic Places, which is a list of historic places deemed worthy of preservation by the National Park Service.
In a letter from the Florida Division of Historical Resources, UF officials learned that Florida Gymnasium, Tigert Hall, Matherly Hall, Century Tower, Carlton Auditorium and Plaza of the Americas were added to the UF Historic District, which encompasses the northeast corner of campus, on June 24.
The Yulee-Mallory-Reid dormitory complex, Weil Hall and the Hub are located outside of the district but are now officially listed in the National Register.
With the recognition, UF will receive funding for the preservation of the sites and some tax exemptions.
Susan Tate, an emeritus professor in the College of Design, Construction and Planning who oversaw UF's application, said the process started in 2003 when UF received a $150,000 grant from the Getty Foundation, which supports global building conservation.
With that funding and a grant from the state, UF was able to fund the research needed to prove that the buildings are architecturally and historically significant as well as at least 50 years old, said Linda Dixon, assistant director of the Facilities Planning & Construction Division. UF submitted its application in 2007.
Tate said UF is unique compared to other college campuses because it has stayed consistent over the years by adapting the original 1905 collegiate gothic architecture to modern times.
Tate said UF also stood out because it used its campus as "a laboratory" and allowed graduate students in the College of Design, Construction and Planning to contribute to the research for the application.
Of all the recognized buildings, Tate said the Hub is her "special favorite" because it illustrates staying in touch with the original architectural idea while still moving forward with the times.
Tate said she finds it interesting that the Hub, which got its name from a 1950 student competition, began as a student center and after serving as a bookstore and undergoing renovations, is a student center again but with a modern twist.
Tate said the additions of the Computing Help Desk and the International Center helped the building evolve into a new era of college culture.
"The whole significance of information technology and globalization is illustrated there," she said.
