This building has been in the news a bit lately. It has, at least, in the local blogging scene. The Raleigh Connoiseur, New Raleigh, among others all ran interesting pieces discussing the approaching destruction of this unique and historic building.

The destruction of this piece of modernist architecture downtown will be a significant loss that will be remembered for years to come.

This Modernist structure is located across from the Governor’s Executive Mansion.

According to the History of the NCMS,

The North Carolina Medical Society first met in 1799. Through a charter from the North Carolina legislature, the Medical Society was formed as an incorporated body with the right to sue and be sued and the right to hold any property it may acquire. On
April 16, 1800, the North Carolina Medical Society met to elect its officers.
James Webb, MD (1774-1855), of Hillsborough, was a leading merchant, philanthropist, and physician in Orange County. Later in his career in 1822, Webb took the groundbreaking step of providing free smallpox vaccinations, and he also provided free care to poor white and black patients.
The leadership at the second meeting of the Medical Society developed a Board of Censors to determine who was fit to practice medicine, a step that laid the groundwork for the formation of the Board of Medical Examiners in 1859. North Carolina was the first state in the Union to enact such laws.
Annual meetings of the Society were held from 1799-1804. In 1804, members resolved to hold the next meeting in Chapel Hill on July 5, 1805; however, no such gathering is recorded thereafter until the formation of the Medical Society of the State of North Carolina in 1849.

By a somewhat coincidence, the topic of Harrelson Hall came up at work shortly before I had planned to write about it. Considering the location (brickyard) and that it houses math and foreign language classes, everyone that went to NCSU is familiar with it and has some sort of opinion on it–usually negative. The folks I work with were no exception.

It seems as though the the talk of its destruction has been going on for at least a few years now. Wikipedia says that

Future plans call for the demolition and reconstruction of Harrelson Hall after a temporary hall has been constructed. A rebuilding plan was chosen after the estimated expenses for remodeling were compiled and deemed too costly.

Jason, a friend from work, said during the discussion that Harrelson Hall was often the base for some recurring dreams he’s had. I don’t find it that surprising. There are somewhat unreal elements to it. Getting to where you need to go is often a pain.

No one I know seems terribly sad that it is going to be torn down, myself included. Occasionally, function and practicality are more important than historical significance (first cylindrical building on a college campus).

• What are your experiences in this building?
• Any quirks you remember when having classes here?
• What are your thoughts on its inevitable demise?