The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Andrew Mellon Center

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Institution Name: Chatham College
Original/Historic Place Name: home of Andrew Mellon
Location on Campus: Woodland Rd.
Date(s) of Construction:

1907	original construction McClure & Spahr Mellon, E. P. Olmsted Brothers
1917	enlarged
1971	dining hall added Johnstone, McMillan & Associates

Designer: McClure & Spahr; E. P. Mellon; Olmsted brothers; Johnstone, McMillan & Associates
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Other (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, history
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: stone

Walls: brick

Roof: slate

Function:

ca. 1907-1971	residence hall
ca. 1971-1999	admissions office
1971-present (2006)	dining hall
ca. 1998-present (2006)	other (pool, bowling alley)
ca. 1998-present (2006)	other (meeting room, boardroom)
ca. 1998-present (2006)	administration

Narrative:
This Tudor revival building was donated to the college by Paul Mellon in 1940. The Mellon estate was comprised of six acres and included tennis courts and a garage. In 1971, the Paul R. Anderson Dining Hall (Johnstone, McMillan & Associates) was added to the south end of the house. The addition is sympathetic in style and has a minor impact on historic fiber (it attaches to the former kitchen and service wing of the house). Originally a dormitory, the House served as the Office of Admissions from 1971 to 1999. In 1998, the second and third floors were restored and rehabilitated for use as administrative offices; the basement ballroom was adapted for use as a meeting room and boardroom and an elevator was installed in an inconspicuous location to meet ADA requirements. The ornate first floor rooms are used for meetings and special events. A large garden terrace at the rear of the building stands over a basement swimming pool and bowling alley.

References: