The Valley Campus Physical Education Building was constructed in 1939. It was a new addition to the State Teachers College, and was approved by the State of Minnesota Legislature and the Federal Government. A grant was given to the College by the Public Works Administration to construct the new building. The grant was worth $240,000. The new Physical Education Building was undertaken to remedy lack of space in the old Physical Education Building, which was built in 1909. The old building was, therefore, demolished in 1938, and a new Physical Education Building was constructed in 1939.

The Physical Education building served as the central hub for Athletic Events for Mankato State Teachers College from 1939-1979. In 1979 all of the campus sporting events were moved to the Upper Campus (Highland Campus). The City of Mankato purchased the Physical Education building (Lower Campus) in that same year. The Physical Education Building, for the most part, stood vacant until 1982 when the City of Mankato had in destroyed. Information for this finding aid was obtained from the accession collection information form.