McMillan Hall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Administration Building, Washington and Jefferson College
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Washington, Pennsylvania |
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| Built | 1793 (central part) 1818 (wings) |
| Architectural style | Jeffersonian Vernacular architecture |
| NRHP reference No. | 77001199 |
| Added to NRHP | August 16, 1977 |
McMillan Hall is a very old and important building at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania. It was built way back in 1793. This makes it the only building left from the original Washington Academy.
It's one of the oldest college buildings in the United States that is still used for its original purpose. It's also the oldest college building west of the Allegheny Mountains. The building is named after John McMillan, who helped start the college. Today, it holds important offices for the college, like the President's office.
In 1977, McMillan Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a special historical place. Experts said its design was unique, mixing different old styles of architecture. They called it "irreplaceable" because it's so special.
Contents
Building History
Early Days and Construction
In 1791, a fire destroyed the local courthouse. This left Washington Academy without a place to hold classes. So, in 1793, the college leaders decided to build a new home for the academy.
Three men, James Brice, Absolom Baird, and David Bradford, were put in charge. They built the foundation and walls that same year. The stone building was finished in 1797. It was two stories tall and measured about 35 by 30 feet.
At first, the main hall was used as a church. It also had a library and a reading room for students. Famous people like Alexander Hamilton and Henry Lee even stayed there during the Whiskey Rebellion.
Growing Bigger
In 1806, Washington Academy became Washington College. A few years later, in 1816, the college decided to make the building bigger. They added two new sections, called wings, and a fancy front porch with columns.
These new parts were finished in 1819. They were used as dorms and dining areas for students. For a long time, this was the only building on the college campus. In 1835, a new building was started, and this original one became known as the "Old College."
Moving and Changing
Around the late 1890s, some people wanted to tear down the "Academy Building." But in 1900, a kind person named W. R. Thompson saved it. He gave money for a new library, but only if the old building was kept safe.
To make space for the new library, the building was actually moved! It was shifted 40 feet closer to Lincoln Street. This was a big and tricky job.
After the move, the building was updated in 1912. The second floor, which had been closed off, was opened again. New stairs were added inside. The building was renamed the "Administrative Building" because it started holding all the college's main offices, including the President's office.
Over the years, different parts of the building were used for many things. The basement once had a dining hall, a lunch counter, classrooms, and even the college bookstore. The north wing, which used to be student housing, became office space in 1928.
Bringing Back the Past
From 1985 to 1987, McMillan Hall went through a major makeover. The goal was to make it look like it did in the 1700s. Walls that weren't original were removed to open up the hallways. The main entrance and first floor were restored to their old look.
Outside, the roof and other parts were fixed. The three porches and the wooden pillars were rebuilt. The basement was turned into offices for staff and the mailroom. All the electrical and phone systems were updated.
This big restoration helped the building become a welcome center for new students and visitors. In 1993, it was officially renamed John McMillan Hall, honoring the college founder.
McMillan Hall is also recognized as a historic landmark by the Washington County History & Landmarks Foundation.
Images for kids
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The "Old College" in 1899, still in its original location.
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Photograph from the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1934.
