Mont Alto, Pa. -- Penn State Mont Alto has the distinction of owning the oldest building in the Penn State system. The building recently underwent a three-month renovation, and earlier this month the campus dedicated Wiestling Hall as the new campus student center.
In 1807, Wiestling Hall (then unnamed) emerged around what was believed to have been the original 18th century log cabin. After the Civil War, the house was named for Col. George Wiestling, who operated the Mont Alto Iron Co. on the site of what is now the Penn State Mont Alto campus. Throughout its history, Wiestling Hall has served as a dormitory, dining hall, classroom, student union and administrative building. The building last was renovated in 1994 to house the campus executive officer and other administrative officers.
The newly renovated Wiestling Hall Student Center now houses a game room with a pool table; an entertainment space for cultural events, performers and coffee house nights; student government offices and meeting space; and Cafe Java, a cyber cafe that serves coffee, lattes and desserts, among other items. Wiestling Hall was reopened for student use on Sept. 14.
The space was designed by Romanini Architecture and construction was handled by R.A. Hill, Chambersburg. Funding for the renovation was provided by Penn State's housing and food services department and the facilities resource committee.
For more on Penn State Mont Alto, visit http://www.ma.psu.edu/