Text source: Classic Buffalo: A Heritage of Distinguished Architecture, by Richard O. Reisem and Andy Olenick

---

Lockwood Memorial Library

The original building was the gift of Thomas B. Lockwood (1873-1947) and his wife, Marion Birge Lockwood, in memory of Daniel N. Lockwood and George K. Birge. Thomas Lockwood, a Buffalo attorney, also donated his extensive collection of rare books to the new library.

Thomas B. Lockwood was a Buffalo attorney who served on the University Council for 28 years. A legendary book lover, he amassed what was known as the finest collection of rare books, first editions and manuscripts in the region.

The Lockwood family generously contributed $400,000 toward the original Lockwood library - now the Health Sciences Library in Abbott Hall on the South Campus. The Lockwood Memorial Library name was placed on the new library, in recognition of the original endowment.

The library is the focal point of the campus, much as the Rotunda is at Thomas Jefferson's University of Virginia. .

Access to this imposing limestone structure is up a long, wide flight of stairs to a massive portico supported by six very tall Ionic columns. Stone balustrades decorate upper portions of the building. The design is particularly lean, but enormously impressive.

Abbott Hall

Lockwood memorial Library, on the South Campus, has been renamed Abbott Hall. The "Lockwood Memorial Library" is now on the North Campus of the University at Buffalo.

Architects

In 1933, E.B Green Jr. died of a cerebral hemorrhage. He had been architect-in-charge for the design of Crosby Hall, Norton Hall, and Lockwood Memorial Library at the University of Buffalo. A few years earlier, Green and Sons had won the commission to create a master plan for the entire University, as well as design several key buildings in the plan.

The highly classical plan which the firm produced used Lockwood Library as its focal point (much like the Rotunda in Thomas Jefferson's plan for the University of Virginia) with lesser buildings sited to establish a hierarchy of functions through geometrical relationships. The intent was to create major open space surrounded by academic buildings and auxiliary areas to accommodate student housing, athletic facilities, and service buildings. The strength of their plan lay in its ability to enclose the entire campus and to create a true sense of place and identity..

For approximately ten years, the firm worked on plans for Crosby Hall, Lockwood Library, Norton Union,Hayes Hall, Clark Gymnasium, and the Service Building. Once again, the firm chose the English Renaissance Period as inspiration for the design of the buildings.

From 1933-36, Green Sr. worked on the project until R. Maxwell James joined the firm, which was thenceforth named Green and James until 1945.

---

See also:

• Abbott Hall UB page on the building. Includes history
  
  
• History of University Heights, by James Napora
  
  
• The faces behind the facades : Recalling the namesakes of UB buildings by Ann Whitcher and Shonnie Finnegan
  
  
• Crosby Hall Also on the UB South Campus. Illustrations, history
  
  
• Hayes Hall Also on the UB South Campus. Illustrations, history.