Old Main Project

Restoring The Legacy
The Campaign to restore OLD MAIN

"We shape our buildings and afterwards they shape us."
~~Winston Churchill

OLD MAIN The Heart of Kilgore College

For nearly seventy years, OLD MAIN has been the heart of Kilgore College. It's part of the college legacy.

Standing as East Texas's landmark of learning, OLD MAIN is a reminder of our founders' vision of the future: the American Dream could best be realized through education.

In 1935, city leaders opened Kilgore College to make that dream come true for thousands. During the depths of the great depression, these visionaries raised funds to construct a first-class campus. Their unbounded optimism and enthusiasm gave shape to an imposing structure that has impacted all who have passed through its portals.

OLD MAIN is the centerpiece of Kilgore College. It has shaped more than 135,000 Kilgore College students and countless others who participated in community and educational events. It has housed competitions, events and activities which have touched the entire region.

OLD MAIN and the adjoining gymnasium-auditorium, which is now the Rangerette Gym, opened in the Fall of 1936 during Kilgore College's second academic year.
Built in the popular Art-Deco style of the day, it is a gracious old building that deserves to be carefully preserved for generations to come.

OLD MAIN Will Be Restored

Kilgore College is undertaking a remodeling and update which will retain and protect OLD MAIN's original, historical architectural integrity while providing state-of-the-art classroom and academic accommodations.

The remodeling has already begun. When renovations are complete, OLD MAIN will serve students with the latest technology, yet maintain its historical and architectural significance. The goal is to restore OLD MAIN, long the physical symbol of Kilgore College, not only to its original condition, but also to internally enhance it so it will serve students for a long time to come. It will link past generations to the future.

Decorative and original fixtures will be retained and one classroom will be restored to its 1936 appearance, complete with the "International Philco Radio System" which provided intercom communication throughout the building.

Three generations of students have taken their toll. The passage of 135,000 students through the halls of OLD MAIN, and the effect of seven decades, have wearied the building. It needs a face-lift and modernization to meet the educational needs of the 21st Century.

Together We Can Restore The Legacy

The restoration of OLD MAIN is projected to cost $2,000,000. That's a lot of money. We can't do it alone.

We need your help to restore our legacy to its former glory while making it usable for current and future students.

The deteriorating interior first will be stabilized. Next the building will be made energy efficient. It will be brought fully into current code, and all federal and local compliance regulations will be followed, making it accessible to all. Safety features will be added, hazards removed and structural reinforcement made throughout.

Modern wiring and technology will be installed to provide state-of-the-art classroom and learning resources.

The accompanying fact sheet lists how the costs are broken down.

Old main is irreplaceable - its historical and educational legacy is incomparable.

Won't you help? The restoration of OLD MAIN needs commitment and resources from all of us: Kilgore College faculty and staff, our alumni and the East Texas community.

"There comes a time to pay back. We are participating in the OLD MAIN campaign because we want to ensure that KC students of the future have the same quality education we had as students in the 1970s."
~~Ken and Carolyn Raney,
Attended Kilgore College 1970-72.

How to Make a Gift to The Campaign to Restore OLD MAIN

Since 1936 OLD MAIN has played a part in the lives of thousands of students, faculty, staff and members of the community. We want to give everyone whose life has been touched by OLD MAIN the opportunity to join with us in completing the project.

We are looking for 2,000 people who will join with us as a part of the "OLD MAIN Society." With each member of the Society giving $1,000, we can raise the $2,000,000 it will take to complete the renovations.

Pledges and gifts for amounts other than $1,000, or in other forms, such as bequests and real estate are also accepted. Please contact us so that we can discuss this with you.

Pledges may be paid at one time or spread out over a two-year period. A commitment card is included with this brochure.

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