The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Miller Manor

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Institution Name: College of Wooster
Original/Historic Place Name: Centennial Hall
Location on Campus: 909 Beall Ave.
Date(s) of Construction:

1872	original construction Flattery, Lucas

Designer: Lucas Flattery
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Italianate (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, history
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: stone

Walls: brick

Roof: asphalt shingles

Function:

ca. 1872-1900	private residence
ca. 1900-1945	president's house
ca. 1946-1947	residence hall (married Veterans)
ca. 1947-1958	residence hall (women)
ca. 1958-1971	administration (called Centennial Hall, housed VP, PR director, centennial development campaign staff, photographer)
ca. 1971-1972	residence hall (upperclass women's residence)
ca. 1972-present (2006)	residence hall (special interest housing for a community service student group)

Narrative:
The building now called Miller Manor has served The College of Wooster well in three distinct roles for over a century. Sold to the College by a long-time trustee and benefactor (John Kauke), whose name graces the college's primary academic building, it has served as the president's house, and administrative building, and a residence hall. The only true example of mid 19th century architecture remaining on campus, Miller Manor is the closest link to Wooster's founding in 1866. Students especially seek to live there because of its traditional place in Wooster's history. For its 131 years it is in very good condition.

References:

Notestein, Lucy Lilian. Wooster of the Middle West. New Haven: Published for the College of Wooster by Yale University Press, 1937. Reprint, Kent, OH: Kent State University Press, 1971.

Siekkinen, George, Jr. College of Wooster. National Register of Historic Places designation report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service, 1980.