This structure located on the UW campus along Lake Mendota is ~ 112 years old. It has served a number of functions over the years.
Today it serves primarily as a visitors, admissions, and orientation center. It also houses some student group and other meeting spaces.

Prior to this it had been largely unused or under used in recent years. It was slated for demolition during the 1950s and 1960s.
However, by 1978 it was on a list of university "...buildings possessing a high degree of architectural or historical integrity and whose retention is essential."
Things change fast don't they?

The title, the name it is commonly referred by today, indicates the primary original use.
Also known as the "Armory Gym" or "Armory Red Gym" which tells of another part of the original use.

It is frequently cited in Wisconsin polical history b/c it was center stage during the emergence of the progressive movement and rise of the progressive party to political domination in the state. The controversial conventions held here during that period would be the last in the state as progressives, led by Robert M. LaFollette, would soon replace the convention system with a direct primary.

Between these early uses and the current it was firebombed in the early 1970s when it housed ROTC. Apparently scars from this fire could be seen until the late 90s when significant restoration was performed. It also appears frequently in protest film footage of the era.

Architecturally it is known as one of the best and earliest examples of cavity wall construction in the country.

Given all this and more it might not be surprise to learn the "Old Castle" is a National Historic Landmark.

Original cost? ~ $125,000 with gym equipment.
Restoration cost (late 1990s)? ~ $11 million.

History class dismissed.