Cancer Research Building Dedication and Washington University Convocation Photographs | Bernard Becker Medical Library Archives

The Cancer Research Building, a six story building, opened in fall 1951, was among the first buildings in the medical school to be built with federal funds from the United States Public Health Service. The Cancer Research Building was joined to the North and South Buildings on each floor and replaced the Refectory that once connected the North and South buildings.

At the time of the opening the Cancer Research Building housed the administrative offices of the medical school, the bookstore, student lounge, the Ida Jorgensen Finkelnburg and Emma Jorgensen Wernse Research Laboratories, and research laboratories for the departments of anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, and physiology.

The cornerstone was laid during the events for the 50th Anniversary of the union of the medical school with Missouri Medical College and St. Louis Medical College, in February 1950.