The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s La Follette School of Public Affairs will move into UW’s Music Hall after $57 million in construction is complete, and the building will be renamed Herb Kohl Hall.
The project, a renovation of one of the university’s oldest buildings, built in 1880, is slated to begin early next year, and is fully supported through gifts.
Herb Kohl Philanthropies will provide a $30 million gift to the project, including $20 million for renovations and $10 million to support ongoing programming.
“Renaming historic Music Hall to Herb Kohl Hall serves as a lasting testament to Sen. Kohl’s lifelong support of UW–Madison, his deep commitment to public service and an ethos of civility in public debate and policymaking,” UW–Madison Chancellor Jennifer L. Mnookin said in a statement. “It also serves as a reminder, especially at this polarized moment, of the importance of listening to and learning from one another and engaging across our differences.”
The updates will modernize the interior of Herb Kohl Hall while maintaining the building’s character. The exterior of the 146-year-old building will remain intact to preserve the character of one of UW-Madison’s oldest and most recognizable buildings.
La Follette also plans to begin seeking funds this spring for an addition to Herb Kohl Hall that would add a new wing to the south side of the building. This addition would allow the school to bring faculty, staff and students under one roof.
