The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Chaudoin Hall

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Chaudoin Hall (front facade), Stetson University

Chaudoin Hall (detail, front facade), Stetson University

Institution Name: Stetson University
Original/Historic Place Name:
Location on Campus: 601 N. Woodland Blvd.
Date(s) of Construction:

1892	original construction Pearson, George T.
1894	north wing Pearson, George T.
1935	south wing
1982	renovation
1994	renovation of south wing Miller, W. Kenneth

Designer: George T. Pearson (main hall and north wing); W. Kenneth Miller, south wing
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Other (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, education
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: continuous brick

Walls: masonry brick

Roof: composition shingles

Function:

ca. 1892	student union (formal parlor)
ca. 1892	other (university guest rooms)
ca. 1892	other (suite for Dean of Women)
ca. 1892-1937	dining hall (including kitchen)
ca. 1892-present (2006)	residence hall
ca. 1937	infirmary

Narrative:
This three-story residence hall was built in 1892 and expanded in 1894 at a total cost of $62,000. It was named for W.N. Chaudoin, former university trustee and past president of the Florida Baptist Convention, with which Stetson University was affiliated in the past. Major donors were John B. Stetson and C.T. Sampson, a university trustee. In 1935, another wing was added at a cost of $44,000, underwritten by the Florida Baptist Convention. Notable architectural features are a cupola within a balustrade on the crown of the roof and a large front veranda with a fan and sidelights over the entrance.

Stetson's last dean of women (who was later dean of students), the late Etter Turner, lived in Chaudoin from 1931 to 1977 and said, "For those students who have lived here, Chaudoin (is) the living room of the campus." Its full-length veranda, formal parlor with working fireplace, and graceful interior staircase recall the charm of an earlier day.

Chaudoin Hall was renovated in 1982 and 1994, and is in excellent condition.

References:

Johnston, Sidney. "The Historic Stetson University Campus in DeLand, 1884-1934." Florida Historical Quarterly (January 1992): 281-304.

Lycan, Gilbert L. Stetson University: The First Hundred Years. DeLand, FL: Stetson University Press, 1983.

Shiver, W. Carl. Stetson University Campus Historic District. National Register of Historic Places designation report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service, 1991.

A Walk with the Founders: Stetson University Campus Historic District. Booklet. [DeLand, FL: Stetson University/Public Relations Office], 1996.