Jump to content

Wilson Hall (Miami University): Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Remove POV and 'guidebook' prose.
 
(22 intermediate revisions by 14 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Dormitory building in Oxford, Ohio, USA}}
{{Orphan|date=January 2011}}
{{Infobox building
{{Infobox building
| name = Wilson Hall
| name = Wilson Hall
| image = Wilson Hall MU.jpg
| image = Wilson Hall MU.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_alt =
| caption = Wilson Hall Today 2010
| caption = Wilson Hall in 2010
| former_names = The Pines
| former_names = The Pines
| map_caption = Location within Ohio
| map_caption = Location within Ohio
| building_type = Dormitory
| building_type = Dormitory
| cost = {{US$|110,000.00}}
| cost = {{US$|110,000.00}}
| location = [[Oxford]], [[Ohio]]
| location = [[Oxford, Ohio|Oxford]], [[Ohio]]
| owner = [[Miami University]]
| owner = [[Miami University]]
| current_tenants = First-Year Students
| current_tenants =
| location_country = United States of America
| location_country = United States of America
| coordinates = {{coord|39|30|35.7|N|84|43|36.2|W|region:US-OH|display=inline}}
| iso_region = US-OH
⚫
| start_date = 1925
| latd = 39
⚫
| inauguration_date = June 16, 1986
| latm = 30
⚫
| floor_area = {{convert|19667|sqft|abbr=on}}
| lats = 35.7
| latNS = N
| longd = 84
| longm = 43
| longs = 36.2
| longEW = W
⚫
| start_date = 1925
⚫
| inauguration_date = June 16, 1986
⚫
| floor_area = {{convert|19667|sqft|abbr=on}}
| architectural_style = [[Georgian Architecture]]
| architectural_style = [[Georgian Architecture]]
| architect = J. Wespiser
| architect = J. Wespiser

}}
}}
'''Wilson Hall (Miami University)''' [[Miami University]] in [[Oxford, Ohio|Oxford]], [[Ohio]] consists of old brick buildings. Some of these buildings were present not long after Miami University was established in 1809. Currently most of the buildings on campus either house classrooms or dorm rooms. Wilson Hall, located on Miami’s East Quad, is currently being used for [[dormitories]] for both male and female first-year students. Students of Miami did not reside in Wilson Hall when it was originally built as The Pines.
'''Wilson Hall,''' also known as '''The Pines,''' was a dormitory building on the campus of [[Miami University]] in [[Oxford, Ohio|Oxford]], [[Ohio]]. Built in 1926 and known before 1986 as "The Pines," The building was originally an annex to a [[sanatorium]] known as The Oxford Retreat, and was sold to the university in 1936 for use as a women's dorm. The hall rotated between a men's and women's dorm for most of its existence. The building became disused during the 2015-16 school year, and the university finalized plans in February 2019 to demolish the building that summer to create green space.


== History ==
== History ==
In 1882, before Miami was the main attraction to Oxford, “The Oxford Retreat” was present. “The Oxford Retreat” “was a private hospital for the treatment of mental and nervous diseases, [[alcoholic]], and narcotic inebriety".<ref name="source1">{{Cite book
The building that became Wilson Hall was originally part of The Oxford Retreat, a private hospital "for the treatment of mental and nervous diseases, [[alcoholic]], and narcotic inebriety".<ref name="source1">{{Cite book
| title = The Oxford Retreat, Oxford Ohio
| title = The Oxford Retreat, Oxford Ohio
| url = https://archive.org/details/annualreportofph1893oxfo
| publisher = C.J. Krehbiel and Co.
| publisher = C.J. Krehbiel and Co.
| location = Cincinnati}}
| location = Cincinnati}}
</ref> There were several buildings that made up the hospital. The main building, which was erected at the cost of $100,000, contained one hundred and forty-four rooms for patients.<ref name="source1" /> The main building, which was later turned into Fisher Hall, is now what is known as the Marcum Conference Center. The annex to the Retreat was called The Pines. The Pines was set apart from the main building to house women who were not only affected mentally, but who also had “nervous disorders, alcoholic, or narcotic addiction”.<ref name="source1" /> The Pines was completed in June, 1926.<ref name="source2">{{Cite book
</ref> The main building, which later became [[Fisher Hall (Miami University)|Fisher Hall]], was torn down in 1979, and was replaced by the Marcum Hotel and Conference Center. Built in 1926, the annex to the hospital was known as "The Pines," and was set apart from the main building to house women who were not only affected mentally, but who also had “nervous disorders, alcoholic, or narcotic addiction”.<ref name="source1" /><ref name="source2">{{Cite book
| title = The Oxford Retreat, Oxford Ohio
| title = The Oxford Retreat, Oxford Ohio
| publisher = The Albertype Co.
| publisher = The Albertype Co.
| location = Brooklyn, N.Y}}
| location = Brooklyn, N.Y}}
</ref> The fireproof building consists of native blue limestone with a red tile roof.<ref name="source2" /> After Miami bought the main building of The Oxford Retreat, to make into [[Fisher Hall and Marcum Center (Miami University)|Fisher Hall]] in 1925, The Pines became the main and only building used for the [[sanatorium]].
</ref> The fireproof building consists of native blue limestone with a red tile roof.<ref name="source2" /> After Miami bought the main building of The Oxford Retreat in 1925, The Pines became the main and only building used by the [[sanatorium]].


== Purchasing The Pines ==
=== Acquisition by Miami ===
During the expansion of Miami University, The Pines became a huge interest to include in the Miami’s campus. Contract for lease and purchase was for the Oxford Retreat property, “the Pines, consisting of 14.67&nbsp;acres, one large building, two cottages and a residence”.<ref name="source3">{{Cite book
During the expansion of Miami University, The Pines became of interest to include in Miami’s campus, and the university signed a contract for the annex building and other residences on the property on July 17, 1936.<ref name="source4">{{Cite book
| title = Annual Reports of the President, the Deans, and other officers: Miami University
| location = Oxford, Ohio
| date = 1936–1937}}
</ref> The contract was signed on July 17, 1936.<ref name="source4">{{Cite book
| title = Contract of Lease and Purchase: The Pines
| title = Contract of Lease and Purchase: The Pines
| location = Oxford Ohio
| location = Oxford Ohio
| date = July 7, 1936 }}
| date = July 7, 1936 }}
</ref> The large building was to be used “as a dormitory for seventy students”.<ref name="source3">{{Cite book|title=Annual Reports of the President, the Deans, and other officers: Miami University|date=1936–1937|location=Oxford, Ohio}}
</ref> The large building was to be used “as a dormitory for seventy students”.<ref name="source3" /> The residence that was included in the purchase belonged to Dr Harvey ad Mrs. Bessie Cook.<ref name="source3" /> Dr. and Mrs. Cook were able to reside there for the remainder of their lifetime for an annual rental of $5,000.<ref name="source3" /> The contract for the lease and purchase was put together by, W.P. Roudebush and trustees.<ref name="source4" /> It stated that the property was to be leased for ten years at $5,000 per year, at the end of the ten years it was to be purchased for $110,000.<ref name="source4" /> The amount of $110,000 would be paid over a ten year span in cash or notes.<ref name="source4" /> These conditions were finalized with the signatures of A.H Upham, W.P Roudebush, and Dr. and Mrs. Cook.<ref name="source4" />
</ref> The residence that was included in the purchase belonged to the family of Dr. Harvey Cook, the son of the founder of The Oxford Retreat.<ref name="source3" /> Cook rented the estate from the university until his death, and it is now occupied by campus offices.


== Dorm Usage ==
=== Usage ===
After $20,025.94 of remodeling, Wilson, still known as the Pines, began to house students.<ref name="source3" /> The building was constantly changing from all female to all men’s dorms through the years,
After $20,025.94 of remodeling, the building, still known as The Pines, began to house students.<ref name="source3" /> The building changed frequently from all female to all men’s dorms through the years, serving as a women's dorm from 1936 to 1939, 1941-1942, 1960 to 1971, and during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The building housed men for the 1940-41 school year, from 1946-1960, and for the fall semester of 1971.<ref name="source5">{{Cite book
Fall 1936-Spring 1940: Women’s dorm
Fall 1940-Spring 1941: Men’s dorm
Fall 1941-Spring 1942: Women’s dorm
Unlisted for fall 1942 through spring 1946
Fall 1946-Spring 1960: Men’s dorm
Fall 1960- Spring 1971: Women’s dorm
Fall 1971: Men’s dorm.<ref name="source5">{{Cite book
| title = Building Inspection for City of Oxford
| title = Building Inspection for City of Oxford
| location = Oxford, Ohio}}
| location = Oxford, Ohio}}
</ref> Since then, the building operated as a co-ed dorm, though [[The Miami Student]] reported that the building had not been occupied since the 2015-16 school year.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://miamistudent.net/allegedly-haunted-95-year-old-wilson-hall-will-be-demolished-this-summer/|title=Allegedly "haunted," 95-year-old Wilson Hall will be demolished this summer|date=2019-04-08|website=The Miami Student|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-09}}</ref>
</ref>
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, The Pines was a Women's dorm.


During the years that it The Pines was unlisted, fall 1942-Spring 1946, the Navy Training School (NTS) used the quarters.<ref name="source6">{{Cite book
From 1942 to 1946, the Navy Training School (NTS) that operated at Miami used the building as housing for their radio operator trainees.<ref name="source6">{{Cite book
| title = Miami University Bulletin
| title = Miami University Bulletin
| location = Oxford, Ohio
| location = Oxford, Ohio
| date = June 1946}}
| date = June 1946}}
</ref> These men training at NTS were there for radio training.<ref name="source6" /> Miami University was greatly impacted during [[World War I]]. Not only did they open their buildings to help with training the Navy, but also students got involved. Miami Volunteer Training Corps was organized and within two weeks, four hundred and fifty people had signed up.<ref name="source6" /> The females at the university “enlisted in the [[Red Cross]] first aid classes, training as nurse’s aides, in drafting courses, and in serving as hostesses at local U.S.O. clubrooms”.<ref name="source6" /> In some women’s halls physical fitness committees sat up programs for all women, which “emphasized rounded diet, regular sleep, and vigorous exercise".<ref name="source6" /> This brought about a three year pre-professional curriculum. The [[US Navy]] was not the only group to take advantage of the space Miami’s campus had to offer. In 1945 two professional baseball teams, the [[Columbus Red Birds]] and the [[Rochester Red Wings]] used the Pines for spring training.<ref name="source7">{{Cite book
</ref> The [[US Navy]] was not the only group to take advantage of the space Miami’s campus had to offer. In 1945 two professional baseball teams, the [[Columbus Red Birds]] and the [[Rochester Red Wings]] used the Pines for spring training.<ref name="source7">{{Cite book
| title = Residence Hall Renamed to Honor Charles Ray Wilson
| title = Residence Hall Renamed to Honor Charles Ray Wilson
| publisher = Press Release
| publisher = Press Release
Line 78: Line 59:
</ref>
</ref>


[[File:Front entrance Wilson Hall.JPG|thumb|Front entrance Wilson Hall]]
[[File:Front entrance Wilson Hall.JPG|thumb|Front entrance to Wilson Hall|alt=]]


== Dr. Charles Wilson ==
=== Namesake ===
The building was used for dorms and training facilities under the name the Pines until 1986.<ref name="source7" /> On June 16, 1986 Miami University named the building Wilson Hall after Dr. Charles Wilson.<ref name="source7" /> Dr. Wilson was a native of [[Cincinnati]] and a student at Miami when the Pines was built in 1924.<ref name="source7" /> He returned to Miami after getting his doctorate from the [[University of Chicago]], to be on the faculty at Miami for one year.<ref name="source7" /> Dr. Wilson stayed involved with Miami consistently through his life, acting as president from 1964-1965 when Dr. [[John D. Millett]] left to become the first chancellor of the [[Ohio Board of Regents]].<ref name="source7" /> He became the Vice President of affairs and provost before he retired in 1970.<ref name="source7" /> Since then, the blue limestone building located in East Quad was known as Wilson Hall.
The building was used for dorms and training facilities under the name The Pines until 1986, when Miami renamed the building Wilson Hall after Dr. Charles Wilson, a Miami alumnus active for many years in campus governance.<ref name="source7" />


=== Plans for demolition ===
Wilson Hall’s {{convert|19667|sqft|m2}} is currently being occupied by “COED First Year Residents”.<ref name="source8">{{Cite web
In 2010, Miami's Physical Facilities department surveyed the university's 41 dormitories and designated the building "higher risk" due to its perceived nature as a fire hazard.<ref name=":0" /> The university's Campus Planning Committee approved the building's demolition in February 2019, and planned to replace the building with green space, noting that there was no need for dormitories with smaller capacities like Wilson due to the recent construction of larger, 4-story dormitories.<ref name=":0" /> Two students on the committee voiced concerns regarding Miami's perceived "underlying problem with demolishing old buildings,"<ref name=":0" /> citing the demolition of two century-old dormitories over the last four years.
| title = Building Information: Wilson Hall
| url=http://www.pfd.muohio.edu/building/which.jsp
| accessdate = Oct. 2010 }}
</ref> There has been so much history in Wilson Hall and every year more is being added to the list.


== References ==
== References ==
Line 95: Line 73:
{{Miami University}}
{{Miami University}}


<!--- Categories --->

[[Category:Articles created via the Article Wizard]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures of Miami University]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures of Miami University]]
[[Category:University and college dormitories in the United States]]
[[Category:University and college residential buildings in Ohio]]

Latest revision as of 19:11, 27 December 2023

Wilson Hall
Wilson Hall in 2010
Map
Former namesThe Pines
General information
TypeDormitory
Architectural styleGeorgian Architecture
LocationOxford, Ohio
CountryUnited States of America
Coordinates39°30′35.7″N 84°43′36.2″W / 39.509917°N 84.726722°W / 39.509917; -84.726722
Construction started1925
InauguratedJune 16, 1986
CostUS$110,000.00
OwnerMiami University
Technical details
Floor area19,667 sq ft (1,827.1 m2)
Design and construction
Architect(s)J. Wespiser

Wilson Hall, also known as The Pines, was a dormitory building on the campus of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Built in 1926 and known before 1986 as "The Pines," The building was originally an annex to a sanatorium known as The Oxford Retreat, and was sold to the university in 1936 for use as a women's dorm. The hall rotated between a men's and women's dorm for most of its existence. The building became disused during the 2015-16 school year, and the university finalized plans in February 2019 to demolish the building that summer to create green space.

History

[edit]

The building that became Wilson Hall was originally part of The Oxford Retreat, a private hospital "for the treatment of mental and nervous diseases, alcoholic, and narcotic inebriety".[1] The main building, which later became Fisher Hall, was torn down in 1979, and was replaced by the Marcum Hotel and Conference Center. Built in 1926, the annex to the hospital was known as "The Pines," and was set apart from the main building to house women who were not only affected mentally, but who also had “nervous disorders, alcoholic, or narcotic addiction”.[1][2] The fireproof building consists of native blue limestone with a red tile roof.[2] After Miami bought the main building of The Oxford Retreat in 1925, The Pines became the main and only building used by the sanatorium.

Acquisition by Miami

[edit]

During the expansion of Miami University, The Pines became of interest to include in Miami’s campus, and the university signed a contract for the annex building and other residences on the property on July 17, 1936.[3] The large building was to be used “as a dormitory for seventy students”.[4] The residence that was included in the purchase belonged to the family of Dr. Harvey Cook, the son of the founder of The Oxford Retreat.[4] Cook rented the estate from the university until his death, and it is now occupied by campus offices.

Usage

[edit]

After $20,025.94 of remodeling, the building, still known as The Pines, began to house students.[4] The building changed frequently from all female to all men’s dorms through the years, serving as a women's dorm from 1936 to 1939, 1941-1942, 1960 to 1971, and during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The building housed men for the 1940-41 school year, from 1946-1960, and for the fall semester of 1971.[5] Since then, the building operated as a co-ed dorm, though The Miami Student reported that the building had not been occupied since the 2015-16 school year.[6]

From 1942 to 1946, the Navy Training School (NTS) that operated at Miami used the building as housing for their radio operator trainees.[7] The US Navy was not the only group to take advantage of the space Miami’s campus had to offer. In 1945 two professional baseball teams, the Columbus Red Birds and the Rochester Red Wings used the Pines for spring training.[8]

Front entrance to Wilson Hall

Namesake

[edit]

The building was used for dorms and training facilities under the name The Pines until 1986, when Miami renamed the building Wilson Hall after Dr. Charles Wilson, a Miami alumnus active for many years in campus governance.[8]

Plans for demolition

[edit]

In 2010, Miami's Physical Facilities department surveyed the university's 41 dormitories and designated the building "higher risk" due to its perceived nature as a fire hazard.[6] The university's Campus Planning Committee approved the building's demolition in February 2019, and planned to replace the building with green space, noting that there was no need for dormitories with smaller capacities like Wilson due to the recent construction of larger, 4-story dormitories.[6] Two students on the committee voiced concerns regarding Miami's perceived "underlying problem with demolishing old buildings,"[6] citing the demolition of two century-old dormitories over the last four years.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b The Oxford Retreat, Oxford Ohio. Cincinnati: C.J. Krehbiel and Co.
  2. ^ a b The Oxford Retreat, Oxford Ohio. Brooklyn, N.Y: The Albertype Co.
  3. ^ Contract of Lease and Purchase: The Pines. Oxford Ohio. July 7, 1936.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ a b c Annual Reports of the President, the Deans, and other officers: Miami University. Oxford, Ohio. 1936–1937.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ^ Building Inspection for City of Oxford. Oxford, Ohio.
  6. ^ a b c d "Allegedly "haunted," 95-year-old Wilson Hall will be demolished this summer". The Miami Student. 2019-04-08. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
  7. ^ Miami University Bulletin. Oxford, Ohio. June 1946.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ^ a b Residence Hall Renamed to Honor Charles Ray Wilson. Oxford, Ohio: Press Release. June 16, 1986.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Wilson_Hall_(Miami_University)&oldid=1192127544"