Building 244

Formerly known as the Bachelor Officers’ Mess Hall, Building 244 is significant for its association with each period of Fort Leavenworth’s development as it relates to the post’s various roles in American military history.

Building 244 served as a mess hall with little modification until 1951 when a one-story rear addition was constructed within the H area of the north side of the building. This addition was a consolidated kitchen, which allowed for the elimination of the four original kitchens and for the creation of additional dining space. In 1978, the kitchen was converted into a courtroom, and the dining areas became offices for the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA).

Contemporary walls, floors and ceilings have been installed throughout the building. The building retains historic finishes such as baseboards, main stair, rear stair, some exterior wall plaster and some plaster ceilings. The main stairway has been partially reconstructed but retains its historic character. The two rear stairways remain in their original locations but have been modified and were extended to the basement in the 1951 renovation.

In this rehabilitation, original walls were left in place and finishes were repaired. Acoustical ceilings were removed in several rooms and corridors to expose original ceilings. Original fireplaces, hearths and surrounds were removed in the 1978 remodeling, but hearths and mantels were re-implemented in the current renovation at their original locations. The original wood windows remain in the building and were repaired during the renovation.

There were originally eight pocket door openings in the building. These were infilled during previous renovations. During rehabilitation, it was discovered that seven of the eight original door sets were intact within the walls. All eight openings were reopened, and the original pocket doors were refinished and rehung using original supporting hardware.

The exterior retains a high degree of architectural and historical integrity. Only minor exterior modifications have been made to the building. The original building has intersecting hipped roofs that retain their original slate shingles. The two-story front porch remains in place, though deteriorated areas were repaired during renovation.