The conservatory served as the headquarters for the School of Music until 1967, when the university constructed the Westbrook Music Building. It was named in honor of longtime School of Fine Arts director Arthur Westbrook.
From 1967 onwards, the conservatory functioned as the headquarters for the School of Music. The construction of the Westbrook Music Building replaced it, and it was named after Arthur Westbrook, a longtime leader of the School of Fine Arts.