West Hall

West Hall is a stone building on the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute campus designed by architect Marcus F. Cummings and completed in the early 1870s. Inside, you will find classrooms, laboratory spaces, and offices arranged to support academic work and scientific research.

The building was originally designed in 1868 as a hospital facility and served that purpose until 1922. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute took over the structure in 1953 and converted it for academic use, eventually earning it a place on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Arts Department occupies West Hall, providing spaces for creative expression and artistic education within the university setting.

The building is accessible during the academic year, though classes and lab sessions may limit access to certain areas. Visitors should check campus guidelines and expect to find the main entrance from the central campus pathway.

During World War I, the building became military barracks housing about 450 students in the Student Army Training Corps. This temporary wartime transformation reveals how American college campuses were mobilized for the national effort.

Location: Troy

GPS coordinates: 42.73167,-73.68333

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:07