On my last visit to Purdue to see my son, he showed me around the Purdue Memorial Union. What a stunning building!
Chicago architects Irving and Allen Pond designed the building, which was completed in 1929. Later, a hotel and a bowling alley were added to the structure. The building hosts several offices serving students plus a number of restaurants and gathering spaces.
But I was just overcome by how lovely the building is, and how much care the University clearly has taken in keeping it in good condition. I admit to some jealousy — I wished the college I attended had a facility this lovely with this much to offer.
I had a film camera with me, my Pentax KM with the 55mm f/1.8 SMC Pentax lens attached and Kodak T-Max 400 inside. That gave me shallow depth of field for most inside photos, but you can still get a good feel for the space in these photos.
Below is one of the ballrooms. I braced myself against a wall for a long-exposure shot and managed to avoid camera shake.
One of my son’s friends is prominent in the ham radio club, which is headquartered in one of the PMU’s towers. Here’s some of their gear.
My son also took me to an upper room, tucked away, that has a stage and this piano in it.
One of my son’s hobbies is to learn to play as many instruments as he can. He took a piano class last semester and wowed me with his prowess. He’s got a knack for music. He had his Pentax K1000 along, shooting T-Max 400 too.
He played me one whole song on this well-used old piano.
The stage is on the opposite wall, and because of the light streaming through it I got this moody shot.
What a lovely facility. Purdue students are so fortunate to have it.
