Cox Hall on the Roberts Wesleyan College campus was named a local historic landmark by the Town of Chili.
The building, named after its donor Edward Cox, now houses Roberts Wesleyan's Department of Music and Performing Arts. But College President Deana Porterfield said it’s served a number of uses since it was built in the early 1890s.
"Anything from classroom space, faculty offices, coal storage, because if you think this was the 1800s, it had coal. Carpentry shops, book store, registrar, administrative offices. It’s really moved throughout the years."
Cox hall was also a residence hall at one point; it’s one of the oldest buildings on campus.
The original two oldest buildings burned down in a fire in 1890, and were rebuilt in 1892.
Porterfield said Cox was a prominent member of the Episcopalian church in Buffalo, and very close with the Roberts family.
"Edward Cox was a friend of B.T. and Ellen Roberts and he actually worked alongside them for years, particularly in the city of Buffalo providing homes, food and care for impoverished young women."
Cox donated $8,000 to build the hall in the early 1890s.
Roberts Wesleyan College also celebrated its 150th anniversary this year.