Built and completed in 1932 as an art lodge, this pioneer-style building became a focal point for many college activities and for many years housed the college's extensive artifact collection as a museum. It was constructed through the joint efforts of then Bacone President Benjamin Weeks and Mary Stone McLendon, "Ataloa," and after her death in 1967 the Board of Trustees renamed the building in her honor. McLendon planned and supervised the construction and every detail of the building. President Weeks and engineer Roy Spinks brought the first rocks to the campus, about 50 students stayed during vacation to split and haul stones for the foundation, and much of the building was done by Bacone students under the supervision of architect H.H. Nieman. Its dominant feature is an interior fireplace built with 500 stones representing the vast geology and history of the United States, sent from locations with historical Native American ties, including Sequoyah's home, and in 2014 the fireplace was among 10 Oklahoma artifacts recognized as part of the Oklahoma Cultural Heritage Trust.