Western Maryland College - Aloha Yearbook (Westminster, MD)

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In 1886 XYard llall was enlarged, in 1887 Smith Hall wasuadded, in 1888 the main front was greatly improved, the same year steam heating apparatus was introduced through the entire College, and in 1889 a steam laundry was put in and four acres of ground were added to the premises. All these improvements which had been badly needed for many years, and which followed each other in extraordinarily rapid succession, greatly increased the comfort, convenience and etliciency of the College and proved the wisdom of the trustees in placing Dr. WARD MEMORIAL. Lewis at the helm., To accomplish so much, in so short a time, under such unfavorable surroundings, seemed to be almost amiracle. ' Through the generosity of the Baker brothers, of Buckeystown, a very hand- some residence for the president was erected on the campus in. 1889. The same year was signalized by a most timely gift from Miss Anna R. Yinglmg, a member of the first class graduated from the College. She presented to hC1' Alma Mater 27

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additional space was provided by erecting at a cost of seven thousand dollars a wing at present known as Uwingsl Hall, after the capable and beloved pre- ceptress who devoted the prime of her life to the interests of this Institution. In 1882, through the great faith and patient efforts of the president, another building made necessary by the increasing popularity of the school was com- pleted and most appropriately called Ward Hall. By this time the widely increas- ing usefulness of the College had caused it to make such an impression on the V f' .f W ' fi if ' PROF. SIMPSONS RESIDENC E. State of Maryland that in 1878 the Legislature established twenty-six free scholar- ships. Dr. Thomas H. Lewis was made president of the College in 1886, and his first efforts were devoted to bringing the school out from under the financial embarrassment which was greatly obstructing its usefulness. Under his skillful! management the debt which had been in existence from the foundation of they College was wiped out to the last cent before the close of the year I889.H 26

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a handsome, well-equipped gymnasium. It is scarcely possible to overestimate the importance of this last addition to the acquisitions of the College. In 1890 another annex, a large wing named in honor of Senator W. Hering, president of the Board of Trustees, was completed. Through the generosity of Dr. Charles Billingslea, in the summer of ISQI, a building known as Levine Hall, for pri- marians, was erected on the College grounds. This is a memorial of the donor's little son, and it was placed under the care of Miss Lottie A. Owings, who con- PRESIDENTS RESIDENCE. ducted in it a flourishing school for several years. The beautiful church known as Baker Chapel was completed and set apart for divine service in the spring of 1895. The same year, the architectural scheme for the pile of academic buildings on College Hill was apparently completed by the erection of W'ard Hall, the most handsome and imposing annex on the campus. 28