1891 August 17, 2016 Construction is completed on Main Building, which would house all of the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry in the beginning and remains a major hive of activity for Drexel even today. Construction began in 1889 after founder Anthony “Tony” J. Drexel announced his intentions for an industrial school in Philadelphia that would be accessible to all regardless of gender, religion and class. Noted Philadelphia practicing engineer-architect Joseph M. Wilson, who designed homes and offices for the Drexel family as well as the Main Building for Philadelphia’s Centennial Exposition of 1876, designed the classic Italian Renaissance-style building.