Natural History Building

The Natural History Building, located on the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign campus, is a historic structure built in 1892, originally serving as a hub for botany, zoology, and geology. Designed in the High Victorian Gothic style by architect Nathan Clifford Ricker, the building features a striking red brick facade and a coffered ceiling supported by timber trusses. After being added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, it underwent a $79 million renovation and reopened in 2017, now housing the School of Earth, Society, and Environment and various departments focused on climate and geography. The building has also achieved LEED Gold status for its environmentally friendly renovation practices, making it a notable destination for both tourists and researchers interested in architecture, history, and sustainability.