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Coordinates: 42°09′18″N 83°22′22″W / 42.1550°N 83.372856°W / 42.1550; -83.372856
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==Sherzer Observatory==
==Sherzer Observatory==
<!-- "Sherzer Observatory" redirects here; if you change the name of this section, please be sure to update the redirect. -->
{{Infobox observatory
{{Infobox observatory
|name = Sherzer Observatory
|name = Sherzer Observatory
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|telescope1_type = 10-inch (250 mm) f/14 apochromatic refractor with 4-inch (100 mm) apochromatic refractor guide scope
|telescope1_type = 10-inch (250 mm) f/14 apochromatic refractor with 4-inch (100 mm) apochromatic refractor guide scope
}}
}}
Sherzer Observatory was established in 1878 with a gift from the citizens of Ypsilanti. The Observatory housed a {{convert|4|in|mm|adj=on}}, $600 [[Alvan Clark & Sons|Alvan Clark]] [[Refracting telescope|refractor]]. The original observatory was located on Pierce Hall was hit by a [[tornado]] and destroyed in 1893. It was then relocated to the roof of the new Natural Science Building in 1903. The building and observatory was later named after William Sherzer, a science professor at the school who conceived the design for the new building after seeing similar facilities on a visit to Germany.
Sherzer Observatory was established in 1878 with a gift from the citizens of Ypsilanti. The Observatory housed a {{convert|4|in|mm|adj=on}}, $600 [[Alvan Clark & Sons|Alvan Clark]] [[Refracting telescope|refractor]]. The original observatory was located on Pierce Hall was hit by a [[tornado]] and destroyed in 1893. It was then relocated to the roof of the new Natural Science Building in 1903. The building and observatory was later named after William Sherzer, a science professor at the school who conceived the design for the new building after seeing similar facilities on a visit to Germany.


In 1928, a {{convert|10|in|mm|adj=on}} refractor telescope manufactured by telescope maker and amateur astronomer [[John E. Mellish|John Mellish]] was installed on a German equatorial mount built by physics professor Edwin Strong. The University Archives still has data produced by students using this telescope and the brass Negus [[transit telescope]] which shared the observatory with the refractor.
In 1928, a {{convert|10|in|mm|adj=on}} refractor telescope manufactured by telescope maker and amateur astronomer [[John E. Mellish|John Mellish]] was installed on a German equatorial mount built by physics professor Edwin Strong. The University Archives still has data produced by students using this telescope and the brass Negus [[transit telescope]] which shared the observatory with the refractor.

Revision as of 15:09, 6 April 2012

Sherzer Hall
Sherzer Hall south side
LocationYpsilanti, Michigan
Built1903[1]
ArchitectE. W. Arnold
Architectural styleRomanesque, Georgian
Part ofEastern Michigan University Historic District (ID84000017[2])
Added to NRHP1984

Sherzer Hall is an academic building on the Eastern Michigan University campus, located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Sherzer Hall is one of four buildings comprising the Eastern Michigan University Historic District on the National Registry of Historic Places. The building building was designed by E. W.. Arnold of Battle Creek and survived two fires.[3] Sherzer Hall has a red-brick exteriors Sherzer's exterior has a few mildly Romanesque and Georgian elements. Due to it's unique style causes it to defies stylistic classification.[4]Sherzer also is home to Sherzer Observatory which was established in 1878 and eventually moved to the top of Sherzer Hall in 1903.

Sherzer Hall

Sherzer Hall is one of four buildings comprising the Eastern Michigan University Historic District. The architect of the building was E. W. Arnold of Battle Creek.[5] Sherzer Hall has a red-brick exteriors Sherzer's exterior has a few mildly Romanesque and Georgian elements. Due to it's unique style causes it to defies stylistic classification.[4] The building is named after Dr. William H. Sherzer, professor of geology and head of Department of Natural Sciences who served from 1892 to 1932 The building was built during the presidency of Dr. Lewis Henry Jones at the time the school was called Michigan Normal College as the school.[6]

Sherzer Hall fire in 1989

The building survived two fires. In 1973 a small fire caused $10,000 of damage all of which was completely restored. On March 9, 1989, however, the building burned almost to the ground. 50% of the exterior and 70% of the interior was destroyed.[7] The building was entirely rebuilt in 18 months. Quinn Evans Architects and Eastern Michigan University received recognition for the reproduction of the original masonry techniques. Recognition was received from the Masonry Institute in 1992. Built for $55,000 in 1903, the building was rebuilt 87 years later for 5.5 million.[8]

Today the building is home to the EMU Art Department. Built originally for science purposes the building maintains ties to its scientific heritage though its rooftop observatory. In December 1997 a new radio telescope was installed on the roof to collect radio waves created by celestial objects.

Sherzer Observatory

Sherzer Observatory
Sherzer Observatory at dusk
OrganizationEastern Michigan University
LocationYpsilanti, Mi
Coordinates42°09′18″N 83°22′22″W / 42.1550°N 83.372856°W / 42.1550; -83.372856
Established1878 (1878)
Websitewww.physics.emich.edu/sherzer/
Telescopes
Unnamed Telescope10-inch (250 mm) f/14 apochromatic refractor with 4-inch (100 mm) apochromatic refractor guide scope
  Related media on Commons
[edit on Wikidata]

Sherzer Observatory was established in 1878 with a gift from the citizens of Ypsilanti. The Observatory housed a 4-inch (100 mm), $600 Alvan Clark refractor. The original observatory was located on Pierce Hall was hit by a tornado and destroyed in 1893. It was then relocated to the roof of the new Natural Science Building in 1903. The building and observatory was later named after William Sherzer, a science professor at the school who conceived the design for the new building after seeing similar facilities on a visit to Germany.

In 1928, a 10-inch (250 mm) refractor telescope manufactured by telescope maker and amateur astronomer John Mellish was installed on a German equatorial mount built by physics professor Edwin Strong. The University Archives still has data produced by students using this telescope and the brass Negus transit telescope which shared the observatory with the refractor.

In the 1970s and 1980s, members of the EMU student astronomy club made numerous updates and restorations to keep the aging observatory running. Then, in 1989, Sherzer Hall was gutted by fire. Almost half of the building was destroyed including the original observatory. Fortunately, the University decided to rebuild.

The new observatory opened in September 1991 with a 10-inch (250 mm) apochromatic refractor telescope and German equatorial mount centered under a 6-meter dome. A classroom/computer lab was finished in 1997, and additional 8-inch (200 mm) to 14-inch (360 mm) telescopes, CCD cameras, and other equipment added to the inventory for student use. A secondary observatory with an automated 8-inch (200 mm) SCT for CCD imaging was added to the rooftop level, becoming operational in 2008.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ "NHR in 1984". EMU McKenny Hall.
  2. ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  3. ^ Eastern Michigan University, ‘’Vital statistics Regarding Campus Buildings’’ August 24, 1964, document in EMU Archives.
  4. ^ a b "NRHP Emich Michigan Historic District". NRHP Emich Michigan Historic District. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  5. ^ Eastern Michigan University, ‘’Vital statistics Regarding Campus Buildings’’ August 24, 1964, document in EMU Archives.
  6. ^ "Historic Tour: Sherzer Hall". Eastern Michigan University. Retrieved 2011-06-14.
  7. ^ "Historic Tour: Sherzer Hall". Eastern Michigan University. Retrieved 2011-06-14.
  8. ^ "Historic Tour: Sherzer Hall". Eastern Michigan University. Retrieved 2011-06-14.

References

  1. Norbert Vance. "Sherzer Observatory Homepage". EMU Sherzer Observatory. Retrieved December 14, 2005.
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