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Michigan Union Building
Michigan Union (1950) Bentley Historical Library Photo: BL004701 Michigan Union Addition (12/23/1936) Bentley Historical Library Photo: BL004708 Union Entrance Today	The Michigan Union had its humble beginnings in a spacious house that was the original residence of Judge Thomas M Cooley. For nine years, the remodeled house was adequate for the students needs until the enrollment began to increase.[74] By 1916, construction began on the new Michigan Union at the cost of $1,000,000. The building was not opened to students until 1919 because of World War I. A large sum of money from the Michigan War Preparedness Board helped complete the construction necessary to make the building habitable as temporary barracks.[74] After the war, the building was turned over to the university. However, the building was still unfinished. A campaign helped add a pool, and a donation by Mrs. Edward W. Pendleton of Detroit was used to complete the second floor library.[74] This grand, four story, brick building faces State Street, but is visible for quite a distance looking down South University Ave. People enter on a terraced stairway leading up to the tower. Above the entrance is a sculpture of a student and an athlete. The Union has a rich interior with wood paneled walls and polished floors in the hallways. The studies, lounges, dining rooms, and ballroom have wood paneling, walls painted in vibrant colors, and decorative ceilings. Many of these rooms are also beautifully furnished. New additions to the south side of the building were added in 1936 and 1938. Originally, these provided space for guests as well as rooms for the International Center. Another addition was completed in 1955 which created new space for a cafeteria and a dining room, as well as rooms for general student activities.[74] The building was originally restricted to men, although women could be escorted through a separate entrance. It wasn’t until 1956 that women were allowed into the building from the front entrance without an escort.[74] The Michigan Union Building continues to remain an important building as a place for students to come together to socialize, study, and eat. “The Mug,” located in the basement contains five fast food restaurants with a few shops nearby. A computing center is located in the sub-basement. The first two floors provides space for events and meetings, places to study, as well as a billiards room. The top two floors contain office space for student organizations.
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