The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Main Building

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Main Building (ca. 1845-1863), Greensboro College

Main Building (ca. 1873-1904), Greensboro College

Main Building (ca. 1904-1941), Greensboro College

Main Building (ca. 1941-present), Greensboro College

Institution Name: Greensboro College
Original/Historic Place Name: Main Building
Location on Campus: 815 W. Market St.
Date(s) of Construction:

1838	original construction
1856	addition of west wing
1859	addition east wing
1863	rebuilt after fire
1904	rebuilt after fire
1941	rebuilt after fire

Designer: unknown
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Federal (Glossary)
Significance: education, history
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: brick

Walls: brick

Roof: slate and asphalt shingle

Function:

ca. 1838-1912	student union
ca. 1838-1912	residence hall
ca. 1838-1912	dining hall
ca. 1838-1912	classrooms
ca. 1838-1912	chapel
ca. 1838-1912	administration
ca. 1912	residence hall (Fitzgerald Hall)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	theater (Annie Sellars Jordan Parlor theater)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	other (career counseling and academic advising offices)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	museum (Brock Historical Museum of Greensboro College)
ca. 2004-present (2006)	administration

Narrative:
Over more than the past 150 years, the basic architectural footprint of Greensboro College's Main Building has remained the same. West and east wings were added to the central portion of the building in 1856 and 1859, respectively. The front facade of the building has undergone several changes over the years. After each of the building's three fires (1863, 1904, and 1941), it has risen from the ashes (1873, 1904, 1941) like the phoenix, albeit with new facades. The architecture of the 1st (1845-1863) and 2nd Main Building (1873-1904) was American colonial in nature. The 3rd Main Building (1904-1941) had elements of both American Colonial and Neoclassical; and the 4th (1941-present) is largely Neoclassical in nature, containing elements of both the Greek and Georgian Revival styles. The basic condition of the building today is sound, although, as is the case with any historic structure, regular maintenance is a necessity.

Main Building serves not only as the heart but also the soul of the campus. Rich in tradition and history, Greensboro College was originally chartered in 1838 as one of the earliest women's colleges in the South. For more than a century and a half, Greensboro College has advanced the status of women, helped realize a progressive vision of North Carolina, and inculcated thousands of students with the ideals of enlightened Christianity through a commitment to Methodism and the liberal arts. Since becoming co-educational in 1954, Greensboro College has helped both men and women to unlock their potential thorough a continuing emphasis on community, respect, and pride.

References: