I recently came across a 1982 publication entitled Physical Facilities: Delta State University.  It’s a great type of document that I think every organization with buildings should be required to prepare and maintain.

Cover, Physical Facilities: Delta State University. By Hugh C. Smith 1982

The publication features all the buildings ever built on campus, extant or not.  In addition to information about buildings such as who the architect and builders were, significant changes along with the dates they occurred, floor plans and photographs, it has other interesting tidbits such as information on buildings built by the WPA, or art from the Merci Train.  Of particular interest might be the information as to why some Delta State buildings have two plaques.  If you’ve been a MissPreser for several years you might remember Malvaney’s 2012 post that mused on Mississippi State’s duel plaque requirement.

Here is what Physical Facilities: Delta State University said about the duel plaque requirement of DSU.

Plaques

As a part of the general contract for construction, the Mississippi State Building Commission requires a bronze or aluminum plaque with cast raised letters superimposed therein to be installed within a building upon its completion.  This requirement applies to a new building or a major renovation of an existing building.

The format calls for the name of the project, completion date, name of the institution, president of the institution, listing of the officers and members of the State Building Commission, officers and members of the Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning at the time of contract completion, architect and engineers for the project, and a listing of each of the major contractors: general, electrical, and mechanical.

During the period that Dr. James M. Ewing served as President of Delta State University it was determined that a plaque similar to the one required by the State Building Commission in format and size be cast to show the composition of the State Building Commission and the Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning, and when funds were allocated for the project by the State Legislature.  This plaque was paid for by Delta State University funds and installed in the entrance area as are like plaques in other buildings.  This resulted in two plaques being located in each of those campus buildings where pertinent information was available.

The two plaques for the James M. Ewing Hall shown below depict the format of plaques used in all major campus buildings.

The two plaques of the James M. Ewing Hall at Delta State University

Ewing Hall. From http://www.deltastate.edu/about-dsu/maps-directions/campus-map/james-m-ewing-hall/ Accessed 9-2-2015

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