George Stranahan was an early driving force behind the establishment and funding of the ACP. After convincing the Aspen Institute to open in 1961 an independent physics division, where scientists could convene to conduct research, he began raising funds to open the Aspen Center for Physics, by collecting donations from locals and Aspen Institute participants. Stranahan raised funds for the original ACP building at a cost of $85,000, while contributing $38,000 himself. To recognize the central role that Stranahan played in establishing the center, the first building constructed on the ACP campus is named in his honor as Stranahan Hall. It was designed by Herbert Bayer, who pioneered Aspen's post-World War Two architectural revitalization.