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The Arnold
Bernhard Arts & Humanities Center
"This building stands
for the University's devotion to God-given
insights humankind has been able to prove out in
ages of experience..." So begins the quote
of Arnold Bernhard, which he had inscribed on a
plaque for the dedication of the Center in 1972.
The nine story, $3.5 million dollar building,
begun in 1968, occupies the former Herbert Barnum
Seeley property, formerly part of P.T. Barnum's
estate. Its floor-to-ceiling windows afford
breathtaking views of Seaside Park and the Long
Island Sound.
The building was designed as a center for all
significant University events, such as
convocations, concerts, and receptions and became
one of the most significant assets of the
University. 
It houses the 936-seat Mertens Theater, the
219-seat Jeanie and Henry L. Littlefield Recital
Hall, the 40-person-capacity Mather Theater (also
known as the Bubble), and the Carlson Art
Gallery. The tower portion of the building
includes professors' offices; music, drawing and
painting studios; photo studios and a darkroom;
printmaking studios; audio rooms; and the top
floor holds the Henry DuPont Tower Room.
Arnold Bernhard, a financier, philanthropist and
former trustee of the University, provided the
bulk of the money to build the Arts Center. He
was the president of Arnold Bernhard Company in
New York, as well as president and director of
the Value Line Income Fund.
He had earlier established four Bernhard
professorships at UB in the fields of English,
philosophy, mathematics and history and was an
avid patron of the arts both in Connecticut and
New York City.
Today the ABC building, as it's known, houses the
Integrated Arts Department and the Music
Department - both of which are growing - and the
University Gallery. Numerous community groups
also use the building for performances and studio
space.
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