UMD News Releases

Ron Ramsay, architectural historian and associate professor at North Dakota State University will speak on "Public Buildings that Create Community: the Minnesota State Capitol, Duluth's Civic Center, and UMD's Weber Music Hall," in Duluth at 6 p.m., on Thursday, September 29, 2005. Ramsay's talk, held in UMD's Kirby Ballroom, which includes a dinner, will cost $26 per person. The event is sponsored by the University of Minnesota Duluth Office of University Relations and the AIA Northern Minnesota Chapter. For information, or to make reservations, contact Cheryl Reitan, 218-726-7110.

In his presentation, Ron Ramsay will explore the concept of creating community through architecture. The UMD's Weber Music Hall, designed by Cesar Pelli, the Minnesota State Capitol, designed by Cass Gilbert, and the Duluth Civic Center, designed by Daniel Burnham, will be three of the examples Ramsay will cite. He'll answer the questions ?How does architecture help define a community? How do buildings reflect a common culture? and How does the shape, design and purpose of a structure determine how it is actually used??

This conference is one of a several initiatives created through the University of Minnesota Capitol Centennial Committee to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Minnesota State Capitol.

Brief Biography

• Ronald L M. Ramsay, Associate Professor, Department of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, North Dakota State University (Master of Architecture, University of Texas, 1990; Bachelor of Architecture University of Oklahoma 1970)
• Ramsay is affiliated with the Society of Architecture Historians and the National Trust for Historic Preservation as well as a number of regional and local historical organizations. He also studied historic preservation with James Marston Fitch at Columbia University.
• Ramsay published widely on architectural issues. His research interests include: Frank Lloyd Wright, the development of the architectural profession, 19th century architecture and decorative art, the Progressive Era, and religious architecture.