SPEDDING HALL

At the February 10, 1948, meeting of the Board “President Friley reported that the Atomic Energy Commission desires to expand its research program at the Iowa State College, including the construction of additional buildings; and that tentative plans call for the construction of a building which would constitute a 5th wing of the present Chemistry Building at an estimated cost of $2,000,000.”

During the same meeting the Board authorized negotiations for a new 99 year lease of the property to be used for the building site.

Construction started in the spring of 1949. On September 25, 1951, the Iowa State Daily reported:

Occupancy of the new research building of the Ames Laboratory, Atomic Energy Commission, at Iowa State will begin this week… Construction of the two million dollar building has been completed …Administrative personnel who have already moved into the building are members of the A.E.C. Area Office, the Receiving Department, the Medical Sections, and the Personnel and Security Division. The Technical Information Services, with the document library, expect to occupy new quarters on the second floor, possibly by Sept. 20.

The name “Frank H. Spedding Hall” was assigned to the building at the Board meeting of June 28-30, 1973.