Sherman Hall

Sherman Hall is a three-story classical revival building with a stone and brick exterior displaying symmetrical windows and refined architectural detailing. The structure forms part of a connected complex that includes Garwood Hall and a former heating annex now serving as an art gallery.

Construction began in December 1900 and the building opened in 1902 as the main structure of Western Illinois State Normal School. The project budget of approximately 303,000 dollars represented substantial investment at that time for establishing this educational institution.

The building honors Lawrence Sherman, a Macomb lawyer who served as speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, with the name given in 1956. This naming reflects how the university recognizes important figures from the local community in its physical spaces.

The building is located at 1 University Circle in Macomb and houses administrative offices providing central services for the university community. Its central position on campus makes it a natural reference point for navigating the institution.

The National Register listing encompasses not just the building itself but also connected structures including Garwood Hall and a former heating plant that now functions as an art gallery. This integration demonstrates how utility spaces were repurposed to serve cultural functions.