Explore 100 Years of Purdue Memorial Union Memories

One of the most popular places on campus has helped form core memories for a century

Ask any Boilermaker where to find the perfect spot for studying, saying hey to friends or getting something to eat, and you’ll likely hear the same response again and again and again: the Purdue Memorial Union.

The PMU has seen a lot of change since it opened on Sept. 9, 1924 (when the university consisted of fewer than 4,000 faculty, staff and students!). An extensive ground floor renovation in 2022 signaled the building’s ability to always adapt for what the university needs next and ensured that the next 100 years will hold even more stories.

Podcast Ep. 116: Celebrating 100 Years of History at the Purdue Memorial Union

In this episode of “This Is Purdue,” we’re talking to Bob Mindrum, former director of the Purdue Memorial Union and author of “Purdue Memorial Union, The First 100 Years, 1924 to 2024.” The Purdue Memorial Union — a longtime centerpiece

Learn More

One-take drone tour of PMU renovations

Get a drone’s-eye view of the renovated ground floor (all 67,000 square feet!).

Learn More

Popular Purdue Buildings for Student Life

With such a beautiful campus and architectural gems everywhere, Purdue University has multiple places to offer students no matter what they’re looking for.

Learn More

Diving into the university’s archives

Take a look at some of the many memories made at the PMU. Throughout a century of change, these photos are evidence that a couple of things have remained the same: Familiar architectural features can be found there today, and there are still groups of Boilermakers taking the time to meet up and enjoy what campus has to offer.

Construction of the PMU, which opened on Sept. 9, 1924. — George O. Hayes, part of the Class of 1912, proposed Purdue’s student union.

Students on the lawn in front of the PMU. — The PMU is named in recognition of the Boilermakers who served in World War I.

Students in the original cafeteria of the PMU. — The original cafeteria hosted diners in the southwest corner of the building.

Students craft and paint in the Puttering Room in the PMU. — Boilermakers could craft and paint in the Puttering Room.

Students at the Sweet Shop in the PMU. — The Sweet Shop served up coffee, soda, milkshakes and sandwiches.

Students at the Rack and Roll in the PMU. — The Rack and Roll is one of the oldest bowling centers in Indiana.

The Purdue Memorial Union’s renovated ground floor looks like an entirely different space to most visitors. But when they see the many nods to Purdue and PMU history embedded within the new layout, even staunch Purdue traditionalists can find elements to appreciate about the additions to the century-old building.

article | Education

Explaining the sound of Purdue’s ‘Clapping Circle’

After extensive testing, members of Purdue’s chapter of the Acoustical Society of America determined what causes the audible squeaking sound when someone claps while standing in the University’s famous clapping circle.

article | Education

The Top 10 Best Study Locations at Purdue

Purdue offers many study locations and libraries where Boilermakers can achieve their goals. If you’re looking for the perfect place to concentrate, try one of these 10 popular study spaces.