Vol Walker Hall, ca. 1940s, then the University of Arkansas library, has housed the School of Architecture since 1969.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council awarded two grants totaling over $1.5 million dollars to the University of Arkansas School of Architecture last week. The monies will be used to renovate Vol Walker Hall, the historic building that houses the Department of Architecture on the University campus, and to build a children's garden and other projects at the Garvan Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs, a division of the School of Architecture that is overseen by the School's Department of Landscape Architecture.

The marble columns and 15- to 25-foot-high ceilings of Vol Walker Hall make a grand backdrop for the sketches and models that University of Arkansas architecture students display there year round. Erected in 1935 as the University library, the graceful neoclassical building has been home to the Department of Architecture since 1969. The Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council voted to grant $821,000 to the School of Architecture to implement the first stage of providing additional exits from various parts of Vol Walker Hall. The funds build upon a 2002 NCRC grant of $500,000 for the exterior restoration of the building.

"The NCRC is a fantastic resource for historically significant state facilities. We are so appreciative of their assistance in keeping Vol Walker Hall in good working order. The entire State of Arkansas benefits from the efforts of the NCRC," said School of Architecture Dean Jeff Shannon.

A six-acre children's garden, currently in the planning phase, will be the primary recipient of the $700,000 NCRC grant to the Garvan Woodland Gardens. Tree house platforms, waterfalls, caves, climbing rocks and a swinging bridge are some of the features planned for the garden. The grant also will be used to build a greenhouse and provide handicapped accessible trails to the antique rose garden, the bird sanctuary and boat docks.

"We are excited and pleased," said David Davies, executive director of the Garvan Woodland Gardens. "This grant allows us to continue our efforts to make sure that all new features in the Gardens are absolutely of the highest quality."

A portion of the real estate transfer tax, which was established to support such projects, funds the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council grant program.