Sample Self-Guided Tour Route - Oglethorpe University

The Oglethorpe University Campus Tour - details
Updated Summer 2010
Here is a series of the main buildings and locations to be seen along the tour of Oglethorpe’s 100-acre campus,
with related facts and information for each. Please keep in mind that in the summer and on weekends, many of
these buildings may be locked.
Lupton Hall
Administrative offices for the President, Provost, Advancement, Admission, Financial Aid, the Registrar,
the Business Office, and Alumni Relations.
Also classrooms and faculty offices—point out third-floor dormer windows as faculty offices
Lupton Auditorium seats 300 and acts as a multimedia theater for student events, performances, lectures,
and presentations
Built in 1920
The building was constructed in three stages, so the stairwells connect only certain parts of the building.
The Bimby conference room was initially conceived as a crypt for the remains of General James Edward
Oglethorpe to lie in state at the university. Dr. Thornwell Jacobs was a big scholar of General Oglethorpe
and actually discovered his burial site in England. But a debate ensued with the city of Savannah (where he
first landed in the colonies), and with no resolution the remains stayed in Great Britain.
Building named in honor of Chattanooga Coca-Cola bottler John T. Lupton, whose money kept Oglethorpe
alive during the Great Depression
The bell tower (aka the Carillon, also the name of the alumni magazine) is a monument to Margaret Lupton.
The tower still has its original clock and 42 bells, which chime every quarter hour.
During commencement week, graduating seniors get to participate in the Carillon Ceremony, during which
they enter a secret door and climb to the top of the bell tower to ceremonially ring the bells by hand.
Hearst Hall
First and foremost a classroom building
Also houses numerous faculty offices
Oldest building -- constructed in 1915
Originally a residential building for students and faculty – the Great Hall was the living room of campus
Point out technology “smart” classrooms such as Hearst 112, the Georgia Power classroom
The Great Hall is a popular gathering/study/resting place between classes. It is the site for events like
student art galleries, career fairs, and fundraisers.
New in 2008 is a breakfast and coffee kiosk in the Great Hall serving fair trade coffee, danishes, juices, etc.
This is included in the meal plans of residential students.
The OU Bookstore is located on the lower level – walk downstairs and point it out browse as desired
The Crypt of Civilization is on the lower level of Hearst. Point it out when downstairs by the bookstore. The
Crypt was sealed by Thornwell Jacobs in 1936 and is mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records as
“the first successful attempt to bury a record for any future inhabitants”. The Crypt is to be opened in 8113