ISU Quad Gazebo

Ever since I first walked across the Quad, this funny little gazebo stood out to me. Whether a romantic or just a sweet place to hang out and do some work, I have always had an infatuation with this open, wooden hut. The real questions here are: what is it? Why is it in the middle of the Quad? Why is there no information about this thing?

The gazebo has always fascinated me, but I never took the time to really look at it or look into anything about it. Now that I finally have the opportunity to research this open little hut, I cannot find a thing! I have questions and I want them answered! To learn about this small shed, I would have to go deep into research to speak with someone about why the gazebo is on the Quad, who chose to place it there, and other thoughts.

What I really cannot wrap my finger around is the fact that there is absolutely zero information on the Quad gazebo! I tried to look up Illinois State University Quad and Illinois State University Quad gazebo, but there are no results. There are not even images of the gazebo. Although, just because online sources do not have much, does not mean my imagination cannot run wild with ideas about the gazebo.

I never walk past the gazebo anymore, every time I see the wooden hut I think about what I would do with a gazebo if I were to have one in my yard. It reminds me of a little shelter to hide out in when wanting to get away to read, think, or hang out. I especially think about the gazebo during a snowfall and how fun it would be to just sit in it with hot chocolate and watch snowflakes come down. Autumn is my favorite season, but I absolutely love snow and I love being able to just sit in it and watch it fall. The gazebo is the perfect spot to do that because even though I am still outside in the cold, I am somewhat sheltered by this little gazebo and feel happiness striking through me.

This is one of the reasons I chose to go out on a rainy day to take my pictures in hopes that I can show even in the rain, that the gazebo is a magical little spot. There is something about it that brings warmth and makes me feel like I am in my own little grounded tree house.

I also like is that if one ever wants to go there to wait for something or someone, there is a bunch of writing inside to get one thinking. My favorite writing is on top right when walking in-- “You are loved.” Too many people die or hurt themselves because they do not believe this and I have heard about too many deaths in my lifetime of kids and young adults harming themselves for this reason. It is important for people to know they are loved and the idea of this phrase being one of the first that is seen when walking into the Quad gazebo makes me love the gazebo that much more.

Though typical gazebos come in different shapes and sizes, with windows or open, they all happen to warm my heart. My cousin’s best friend has an indoor gazebo at home with a little heater and television. We sat around one night eating popcorn on a snowy night watching Friends. That could be why I have fallen in love with the little shed, but it seems that anywhere I see them I fall in love. ISU’s Quad gazebo in particular is so mini and simple, the ideas and possibilities of activities to do in there are endless. -- Jennifer Novoseletsky