Cushing Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cushing Hall |
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Cushing Hall at Hampden–Sydney. Front facade, from the south.
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| Former names | New College, The College |
| Etymology | Jonathan P. Cushing |
| General information | |
| Type | Dormitory |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Location | Hampden Sydney, Virginia |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 37°14′38″N 78°27′39″W / 37.243811°N 78.460886°W |
| Current tenants | Hampden–Sydney College |
| Construction started | 1822 |
| Completed | 1833 |
| Cost | $45,000 (1833) |
| Owner | Hampden–Sydney College |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 4 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | William Phaup and Reuben Perry |
Cushing Hall is a historic building at Hampden–Sydney College in Virginia. It was built between 1822 and 1833. This makes it the oldest four-story dormitory still used in the United States! Cushing Hall is so important that it's listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is named after Jonathan P. Cushing, who was the fifth president of the college.
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Discovering Cushing Hall's Past
Cushing Hall was designed by William Phaup and Reuben Perry. They used a style called Federal style. The first parts of the building were finished by 1824. The rest was completed by 1833.
This new building was so big it replaced almost all the older buildings on campus. For a long time, people just called it "the College" or "New College." Later, in the early 1900s, it was named Cushing Hall. This honored Jonathan P. Cushing, a former college president.
A Place for New Beginnings
In the late 1870s, something special happened here. The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity was "re-founded" in a student room at Cushing Hall. Four students, known as the Junior Founders, met here. They decided that their fraternity would be strongly connected to the South.
Later, in 1909, the fraternity decided to become a national organization. This meant they would have chapters all over the country.
Changes Over Time
Cushing Hall has been updated many times. The outside of the building has been restored. The inside has been modernized. The first big update was in 1910. More recently, it was updated again in 1998.
In 1910, porches were added to the building. The original cedar roof was also replaced with a slate roof. Interestingly, the front of the building today used to be the back! It originally faced the older campus buildings that Cushing Hall replaced.
Cushing Hall's design was very popular. It was used as a model for other buildings. These include Venable Hall at Hampden–Sydney College. It also inspired the Randolph–Macon Building in Boydton, Virginia.
How Cushing Hall Has Been Used
Like many old college buildings, Cushing Hall has had many different uses. Since the 1820s, it has been a very busy place.
It has served as an auditorium for large gatherings. It has also been a chapel for religious services. Students have used it as a library to study. Classrooms were set up here for learning. And, of course, it has always been a residence hall where students live.
