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Historical Markers: 
A Campus Walking Tour:
Center of Southwest Studies

The Center of Southwest Studies was located on the top floor of Reed Library from 1967 until the opening of the new Center in its own building in 2001.  The Center of Southwest Studies was founded in June of 1964 with a financial gift from the Ballantine family and the approval of the State Board of Agriculture on June 19, 1964. 
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The marble donor recognition wall depicted below, one of two located in the main hallway just inside the front door of the Center, is a replica of an actual Two Gray Hills rug.  Names are still being added to the "rug" to recognize those who give the Center cash or in-kind gifts of $1,000 or more.
Shown below is the second and newer marble donor recognition wall, just to the left of the entrance to the galleries in the Center, is a replica of an actual Regional Style Navajo rug of handspun wool, a classic J. B. Moore weaving.  Names are still being added to the "rug" to recognize those who give the Center cash or in-kind gifts of $10,000 or more.
This cornerstone is on a southeast corner of the Center, on your left as you leave the covered passageway that leads from the entrances to the Concert Hall and the Southwest Center. This and the Concert Hall cornerstone are the only (and last, per statement of the Administration) Masonic cornerstones placed on campus.  The Masons contributed nothing to the College to warrant having their organization's name on these buildings; it was allowed as a one-time concession to a former employee of the College (now deceased) who was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Durango.

© 2003 Center of Southwest Studies, Fort  Lewis College
All rights reserved (click here for Property Rights  Statement).
Credit line: Center of Southwest Studies, Fort  Lewis College
1000  Rim Dr., Durango, CO 81301-3999 ~ Phone  970-247-7126 ~ Fax 970-247-7422

Revised  January 07, 2003