Manasseh Cutler Hall facts for kids
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Manasseh Cutler Hall, Ohio University
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Cutler Hall
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 Location in Ohio
Location in the United States
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| Location | Athens, Ohio |
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| Area | 10 acres (4.0 ha) |
| Built | 1819 |
| Architectural style | Federal |
| Part of | Ohio University Campus Green Historic District (ID79001783) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000604 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | December 21, 1965 |
| Designated CP | June 11, 1979 |
Manasseh Cutler Hall (also referred to simply as Cutler Hall, or Cutler) is the oldest academic building at Ohio University and the oldest in the original Northwest Territory of the United States. It is located at the center of the Ohio University campus in Athens, Ohio. A National Historic Landmark, it continues to house school offices. It was named for Manasseh Cutler, a New England physician, botanist, and minister who wrote the University's charter in 1804.
Description and history
Originally built in 1816 and the College Edifice, the building did not officially open until 1819 due to a fire. Manasseh Cutler Hall occupies a central position on the Ohio University Campus Green. It is a three-story brick structure, with a gabled roof topped by a wooden tower and cupola. The main facade is nine bays wide, with the main entrance at its center, topped by a semi-oval fanlight. The windows in the floors above the entrance are Palladian in style, that on the second floor topped by a half-round window. The tower has two stages, the first being square with a round window in the front face, and the second octagonal with louvered openings.
The hall was completed in 1819, and is the oldest academic building in the historic Northwest Territory. The hall initially housed dormitories and laboratory space, as well as the office of the university president. The roof was raised in 1882 by about three feet. In 1937 the interior of the building underwent a complete modernization, which included the addition of metal staircases and an elevator. The roof was restored to its original roofline in 1949, and the building exterior now looks much as it did when first built.
Today's Uses
Today, the building houses the Office of the President, the president's cabinet, including the Office of the Executive Vice President & Provost, Vice President of Student Affairs and other senior and academic related administrators. The building is a centerpiece of the University's historic district and often used a photo backdrop for graduating seniors and other professional photography. Often seen as a meeting spot on campus, many gatherings and other large congregations happen outside of Cutler Hall for student organizations to promote themselves and other university related purposes. The buildings chimes ring out over the campus every thirty minutes to signal on the half hour and on the hour with the Westminster Quarters. On Founder's Day, a celebration and day of remembrance and reflection for the formation and official chartering of the University every year on February 18 is observed, and the chimes play Alma Mater Ohio at the time same as the University’s age (example; the bells will ring at 2:17pm for the 217th Founder’s Day in 2021). The original founding date of the University was February 18, 1804.
Images for kids
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Cutler Hall under the elms of the College Green of Ohio University.
