The university’s second oldest building, Villard Hall opened in 1886 to ease the UO’s space crunch. Classrooms filled the first floor and the president's office became a tenant in 1890. In 1946, Villard Hall was known as the "Old Soldiers Home" when its third floor became a temporary dormitory for veterans returning from World War II. The building is named for railroad magnate and philanthropist Henry Villard, the UO's first benefactor. Built for $25,366 from money appropriated by the state legislature Villard was the first university building to be constructed with state funds. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is also a National Historic Landmark. Today it is home to the theatre arts department and comparative literature program.