The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Lillian E. Dimmitt Alumni House

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Lillian E. Dimmitt Alumni House (front facade, ca. 2006), Morningside College

Institution Name: Morningside College
Original/Historic Place Name: Lillian E. Dimmitt Residence
Location on Campus: 3527 Peters Ave.
Date(s) of Construction:

1921	original construction
1983	renovation RML Architects Lee, Robert M.

Designer: RML Architects; Robert M. Lee
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Colonial revival, Regionalist/Vernacular (Glossary)
Significance:
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: brick

Walls: wood

Roof: asphalt shingles

Function:

1921	private residence (of faculty member Lillian E. Dimmitt)
1983	alumni center

Narrative:
This Colonial revival-style house was built in 1921 by Lillian E. Dimmitt, a classics professor at the University of the Northwest and Morningside College from 1893 to 1965. It is the only remaining faculty home of several that used to line Peters Avenue. Miss Dimmitt left her house to the College in her will.

The deteriorated building was renovated and opened as the Lillian E. Dimmitt Alumni House in 1983. Many of the original details were retained and the building is furnished much like a home, with some items having been donated by former students. Upstairs rooms are occasionally used as college staff offices, while the first level serves as a place for meetings or receptions.

References:

Orwig, Timothy T. Morningside College: A Centennial History. Sioux City, IA: Morningside College Press, 1994.

Orwig, Timothy T. Morningside College Historic District. National Register of Historic Places designation report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service, 1997.