Francis Gymnasium/Francis Field House
Now part of Washington University in St Louis’ state-of-the-art recreational and sports facilities, Francis Gymnasium has been in continuous use since the 1904 Olympic Games.
Having been handed over to the WUSTL Department of Athletics after the Games and later renamed Francis Field House, the building was converted into a modern, energy-efficient fitness, recreation and sports centre in 2016. The castle-like construction was also extended to incorporate new facilities and was renamed the Gary M. Sumers Recreation Center.
Among the centre’s many exercise spaces is the Olympic Studio, which celebrates the venue’s Olympic past and whose walls are lined with photographs from the 1904 Games. The venue has also played a part in recent US political history, providing the setting for five presidential and vice-presidential debates since 1992.
During its renovation, parts of the original gymnasium were demolished. Some elements were retained, however. These include the building’s stone exterior and the gym’s original maple flooring, which was re-laid in a bridge section connecting the existing and new parts of the facility. Like Francis Field Stadium, it is also a registered historic landmark.