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Edwards Hall, built in 1906, was named
for Richard Edwards, the second president of ISU (1862-1876)
in 1962. It was originally a Manual Arts Building and
Auditorium and later used as the Industrial Arts Building.
The auditorium is named for Charles Capen, a member
of the first graduating class of University High School,
who later served on the Normal School Board.
Edwards Hall was the first 20th century building on
campus. The horizontal appearance of the building is
reminiscent of the Craftsman style of architecture with
its bands of windows and coursing. The building was
one of the first to be constructed using reinforced
concrete floors, a product of modern technology and
structural steel. The overall style is eclectic for
it retains Colonial Revival features of 19th century
architecture such as brick quoins, keystone lintels
over the windows, and an Egyptian Revival entryway.
Included in the construction was a second floor covered
bridge connecting Edwards Hall with Old Main. 
Later with the construction of the Training School,
now known as Moulton Hall, a second bridge was constructed
connecting it to Old Main.
Capen Auditorium was the site of faculty meetings and
large assemblies, and in periods of mourning, a few
of the presidents of the University who died in office,
such as President Fairchild, laid in state in the auditorium.
Currently, Edwards Hall houses the Mennonite College
of Nursing.
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