Tate Building Documentation Collection

Collection — Container: 1

Identifier: BCA 0222 HC 43

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The following excerpt from the collection's abstract statement explains most clearly the contents of the collection:

"The Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) acquired the historic Tate Building located at 444 Chestnut Street, Berea, Kentucky in June of 1997. During an April 7, 2004 meeting with MACED and Berea City officials it was determined that the building should be documented in its current condition, prior to any adaptive re-use initiatives or other proposed alterations. The Center for Historic Architecture and Preservation at the University of Kentucky was consulted and it was determined that a student in the graduate program for Historic Preservation could document the structure as part of HP-699-001, Summer Internship course.

This report focuses on the documentation of the historic Tate Building. The documentation was conducted at State Level I. During the documentation process it was determined that the building is eligible under Criteria A for listing in the National Register of Historic Places."

Dates

created: 2004

Conditions Governing Access

Please cite all references to this collection. Records can be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no known restrictions on the collection other than federal copyright regulations.

Extent

1.00 ms_boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

In 1929, W.B. Tate began construction of the Tate Building in Berea, Kentucky, on a lot he had purchased in 1924 from S.E. Welch. The construction of this brick building followed the destruction of the wooden frame buildings on the lot, during the "Welch block" fire shortly after its purchase in 1924. Initially, the Tate Building served as a hotel, and in the 1950s the bottom floor was converted to store fronts. Various businesses have operated in the space during the past six decades.