The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Alumnae House

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Alumnae House (front facade, 2003), Wilson College

Institution Name: Wilson College
Original/Historic Place Name: President's House
Location on Campus:
Date(s) of Construction:

1896	original construction Rhodes, M. R.

Designer: M. R. Rhodes
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Colonial revival, Regionalist/Vernacular (Glossary)
Significance: history
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: stone

Walls: yellow brick

Roof: fiberglass shingles

Function:

ca. 1896-1915	president's house
ca. 1915	other (offices)
ca. 1915	infirmary
ca. 1915	residence hall (student and faculty)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	administration (advancement and alumnae offices)

Narrative:
Originally serving as the president's house, and built for Samuel Martin, president of Wilson College from 1895 to 1903, this brown brick two-story house later served as the college infirmary. Today it houses the offices of college advancement, including the alumnae offices. It is currently known as Alumnae House and is in good condition.

From National Register report:

The building is designed similarly to South Hall. It is a two-story three-bay Colonial Revival/Foursquare-style house with a hipped roof. It is constructed of brown brick, similar to those used on French House (South Hall) located immediately to the south. The roof covering and hip-roofed dormers appear to be replacements. Windows have single-pane sash. The main entrance is located in the center bay of the front elevation and includes a broad transom and sidelights. A deep porch supported by ionic columns extends across the front. Like South Hall, the building faces west, across lawns, towards Edgar Hall.

References:

Longacre, Judith. The History of Wilson College, 1868-1970. Lewiston, NY: Edwin Mellen Press, 1997.

Reed, Paula S. Wilson College. National Register of Historic Places designation report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service, 1995.