The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

West Hall

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Institution Name: Ripon College
Original/Historic Place Name: West College
Location on Campus: NW corner of upper campus close to corner of Elm St. and Congress St.
Date(s) of Construction:

1867	original construction

Designer: unknown
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Greek revival, Italianate (Glossary)
Significance: education, religion
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: stone

Walls: stone

Roof: single ply roof, fully adhered

Function:

ca. 1867	gymnasium
ca. 1867	chapel
ca. 1867	other (clubrooms for men)
ca. 1867	residence hall (men)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	classrooms
ca. 2004-present (2006)	faculty offices
ca. 2004-present (2006)	museum (college museum)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	other (ROTC headquarters)

Narrative:
The building has been remodeled a number of times and is in quite good repair, although not handicapped accessible. Its functions have changed over the years, reflecting changes in the College's mission: as a church-related (Congregational) coeducational institution with required daily chapel; as site of the College Commons (1905-1942); as headquarters of a prominent ROTC unit; as a building devoted almost entirely to classrooms and faculty offices.

References:

Ashley, Robert and George H. Miller. Ripon College: A History. Ripon, WI: Ripon College Press, 1990.

Cartwright, Carol Lohry. Ripon College Historic District. National Register of Historic Places designation report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior/ Park Service, 1995.

Peotter, Tonya, Dianne Bell, George Miller, and Louise Schang. "Ripon College Buildings: Past and Present." 1989, revised 1991. Archives, Lane Library, Ripon College, Ripon, WI. Online (2006). http://www.ripon.edu/library/archives/reference/building_ref_man/default.html