| Grand View College (Old Main) | |
| Coordinates: | 41.6208°N -93.6042°W |
| Built: | 1895 |
| Architect: | Marinus Jensen Frank James |
| Added: | May 23, 1978 |
| Area: | approximately |
| Refnum: | 78001252 |
The Humphrey Center, also known as Old Main, is a historic building located on the campus of Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
The Danish Evangelical Lutheran Church in America began planning Grand View College in 1893, and the school opened in 1896.[1] This building was completed in 1895 and housed all of Grand View's operations for a half century.[2] It was designed by Marinus Jensen and Frank James. The Danish Renaissance elements in the building's design was important to the Danish immigrants to the United States who founded the college. Its features are identical to those found at the Belmont Seminary in Bedford, Virginia.[1] They are reminiscent of the architectural style that was popular during the reign of King Christian IV (1596-1648). The building contained the residence for the college's president and his family as well as all its students, the cook, and other personnel. The library, classrooms, chapel, bookstore and other facilities were also housed there.
In 1997 the building was renovated and it was renamed the Humphrey Center at that time. It now houses the administrative offices for the university.[2]