Peru, Nebraska- The Nebraska State College Board of Trustees voted on Friday, March 18 to follow the advice of Peru State College and architects to demolish J.F. Neal Hall.  Bids for the demolition will be accepted at a later date.

Dr. Dan Hanson, president of Peru State College, said, “We consulted with architects about how to move forward with renovating Neal Hall.  Their response included a strong recommendation to demolish based on the shape of the building and the cost of renovation.”

“Examining Neal Hall is part of our ongoing efforts to maintain and beautify the campus.  ”   

Named for Dr. J.F. Neal, Neal Hall was built in 1967 as part of the Centennial Complex Residence Hall.  Neal was a member of the original committee to start a college in Peru. Ernest Longfellow, author of The Normal on the Hill, writes that when Neal was asked to contribute financially he responded, “he would give as much as any man.” 

Neal Hall was originally used as a cafeteria, but has seen a number of uses in its almost fifty years of existence.