Hill Auditorium at the University of Michigan has been a cornerstone for public discourse and pivotal speeches for over a century. Central to its history is a humble oak lectern, gifted by the Class of 1913, which has been a silent witness to numerous influential orators who have taken the stage.
Could the students who collectively decided on this gift have foreseen the caliber of individuals who would later use it to address critical issues?
Interestingly, the lectern itself was born out of a debate. The male students of the 1913 class initially proposed a gift for the Michigan Union, a suggestion met with resistance from female classmates who objected to funding a male-exclusive facility. The resolution was to present a reading desk for the university’s new auditorium, a decision that newspapers of the time described as a “fine scrap.”
Designed by Detroit architect Albert Kahn to match the grandeur of the auditorium, the lectern’s original cost was $250. Yet, as a witness to the profound ideas shared at its helm, its value is immeasurable.
— By Kim Clarke for U-M’s Heritage Project
