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Lawrence University Buildings of the Past
Peabody Conservatory

Peabody Conservatory, 1921 (B-F-001) Peabody Conservatory, recital hall (B-F-002)

About Peabody Conservatory

Constructed: 1909
Location: northwest corner of Durkee and Lawrence Streets, formerly occupied by the Academy building and currently occupied by the Appleton YMCA
Cost: $15,000
Destroyed: 1959

George F. Peabody started out as a clerk and ended up as the owner of Pettibone-Peabody store (later called Prange's), but he had a host of extra-business interests. He gave $12,000 to build Peabody Hall, and his daughter Emma increased this contribution to a total of $18,000.

The architect of the building was H. H. Waterman of Chicago. The building measured 60 by 90 feet, and its principal feature was a recital hall seating about 400 people. Begun in the fall of 1909, it was ready for dedication April 12, 1910. Not counting its equipment, or money spent on the Adkins house, it cost about $15,000.