The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Center for Honors Program

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Center for Honors Program, Heidelberg College

Institution Name: Heidelberg College
Original/Historic Place Name: President's House, Development House
Location on Campus: 67 Greenfield St.
Date(s) of Construction:

1867-1868

original construction

Designer: unknown
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Victorian, Colonial revival (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, education
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: rubble stone

Walls: brick bearing walls

Roof: sheet tin

Function:

1868-1969	president's house
ca. 1970-1995	other (Development House, public relations, and I.A. office)
ca. 1995-present (2006)	other (Center for Honors Program)

Narrative:
President George Williard's expansion of the campus included construction of a new residence for the President. This structure was the second building built on the Heidelberg Campus. Williard (1868-1890) was the first of six presidents: John A. Peters (1890-1901), Charles E. Miller (1902-1937), Clarence F. Josephson (1937-1945), Nevin C. Harner (1945-1947) and William T. Wickham (1948-1969), to live in this house. This was the only president's residence to be located on the campus.

Presently the building is used as a study area, student lounge, and as administrative offices for Heidelberg's Honors Program.

The structure still reflects its use as a residence, as it contains a number of parlor and bedroom sized rooms. The original exterior is intact, although a frame addition is attached to the rear. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

References:

Tarr, Blair, and Barbara Howe. President's House [Heidelberg College]. National Register of Historic Places designation report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service, 1979.

Williams, E. I. F. Heidelberg: Democratic Christian College, 1850-1950. Menasha, WI: George Banta Publishing Company, 1952.