Murray State University is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the oldest building on campus.
Oakhurst was built in 1918 by university founder Rainey T. Wells and his wife. The building has served as the home of many of the university’s presidents. Interim President Bob Jackson says Oakhurst is iconic and says it’s “vitally important” to maintain old structures on campus.
“They’re iconic buildings to this institution,” Jackson said. “They’re historical buildings. There’s a lot of wonderful history within those walls, so we have a responsibility and a duty to make sure we maintain them.”
An open house on Monday featured photos of the original structure along with paintings of Wells and James Richmond. Richmond was the university’s third president and the first to live in the house from 1936 to 1945. Murray State’s centennial is in 2022.
