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PSU Lincoln Hall Upcoming Event Dates & Tickets
About this Venue
Lincoln Hall is a historical building located in Portland, Oregon, that is the home of the theatre, film, and performing arts departments at Portland State University. It was originally home to Lincoln High School before becoming a part of the Portland State College in 1955.
History
Designed by Morris H. Whitehouse of Whitehouse and Fouilhoux Architecture, it was constructed as the second home of Lincoln High School in 1912. The 45-room schoolhouse was constructed on a former cow pasture belonging to Jacob Kamm, who was involved in steamboat shipping on the Columbia River. In 1937, during its use as Lincoln High School, the building served 1580 students. After the 1948 flood of Vanport City, Oregon, the Oregon State Board of Higher Education purchased the building from the Portland Public School District in 1952 for $875,000 as a new home for the Vanport Extension Center. The purchase followed the passing of House Bill 213, signed by Paul Patterson on April 15, 1949.
Originally, the Vanport Extension Center intended to move into Lincoln Hall in the Fall of 1951, but delays in construction of the new Lincoln High School forced the extension center to wait.The building was remodeled by E. Carl Schiewe for approximately $113,000, and was ready in September 1952 for the school to move in. Upon moving, Vanport Extension Center joined the Portland Extension Center, which had held night classes in Lincoln Hall for some time. Shortly after moving to Lincoln Hall, the two extension centers merged into Portland State Extension Center. In 1955, the extension center became a college by 1955 Senate Bill 1 and subsequently named Portland State College. The college was "located on the site of the former Lincoln High School and any areas in the vicinity of such property."
