By jtsherkHS401, Spring 2013, Polk Hall ‘Heat Mitigation’ Garden. The ‘Heat Mitigation’ Garden is part of the streetscape at the corner of Polk Hall, named for Leonidas Polk (1837–1892), who was instrumental in establishing Land–Grant colleges under the federal Morrill Act of 1862, and helping to established NC State College in 1889. The 1926 building, which has cow heads adorning each door, was renovated in 1987 and an additional built-in 2009. It houses the Animal Science and Biochemistry departments.