Cornerstone Ceremony for Abbey Hall, 1951

Item Information

Title:
Cornerstone Ceremony for Abbey Hall, 1951
Description:
A photograph of Springfield College President, Paul Limbert, putting the final touches on the cornerstone of the college's first women's dormitory, Abbey Hall. Also featured in the photograph (from right to left) are Thornton Merriam, Springfield College Dean, Ruth Evans, the head of Health and Physical Education for Springfield Public Schools, Wallace Camp, college treasurer, Henry Field, trustee, and Nancy Cooke, admitted student for the upcoming fall. On April 24th, 1934 Springfield College accepted a gift from Mrs. Emily F. Abbey Gill to erect a women’s dormitory, in anticipation of Springfield College accepting undergraduate women into the college. The college at the time accepted a few women in special undergraduate and graduate programs. The college continued to increase the number of women enrolled as undergraduate and graduate students, so in 1949 Mrs. Emily F. Abbey Gill donated a further $150,000 to finance the much needed women’s residency. Finally, on June 10th, 1950, Springfield College voted to inaugurate a regular undergraduate program for women, officially ending its status as an all men's school since its founding in 1885. On July 20th, 1950 the ground breaking ceremony was held for the new dormitory. Emily F. Abbey Gill served as a member of the college corporation, but died on April 24th, 1950. After her death, the college suggested that the new dormitory be named Abbey Hall in honor of her dream of a women’s program at Springfield. The corner stone was laid on January 18th 1951 and in September of that year Abbey Hall was ready for occupancy. The formal dedication took place on May 10th, 1952, after the building was fully furnished and the interior decoration was completed. Today Abbey Hall is part of Abbey-Appleton Halls (added in 1953), a co-educational dormitory. For more information on Paul M. Limbert, see https://springfield.as.atlas-sys.com/agents/people/597.
Creator:
Silcott, George T.
Date:
January 18, 1951
Format:
Photographs
Location:
Springfield College Archives and Special Collections
Collection (local):
College Archives Digital Collections
Subjects:
Springfield College
International Young Men's Christian Association College
Abbey Hall
Abbey-Appleton Halls
Springfield College--Buildings
Springfield College--Presidents
Limbert, Paul M. (Paul Moyer), 1897-
Evans, Ruth Marie
Camp, Wallace V.
Field, Henry A.
Cooke, Nancy R.
Merriam, Thornton W.
Springfield (Mass.)
Dormitories
Dedications
Cornerstones
Places:
Massachusetts > Hampden (county) > Springfield
Link to Item:
http://cdm16122.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/p15370coll2/id/1712
Terms of Use:
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Publisher:
Springfield College
Identifier:
rg112-01-06-002