Macalester College - Quid Nunc Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

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AME the twentieth century and a successful drive for funds paid off the long-standing debt and left a small endowment. The college immediately looked for the best way to spend it, and landed on the idea of a womenis dormitory. So far the women had lived in a frame house on Summit and Snelling called The Elms. Then in 1908 Wallace I-Iall was opened, and by referring to the biennial for that year we find the following information: The kitchen, laundry, rooms for help, gymnasium, locker rooms, showerbaths, etc., occupy the basement. The fourth story consists of a large, commodious attic. Here are brought those aHllicted with dire disease and those wishing to participate in slumber parties. In the same yearbook we find that young women are admitted to all the privileges of the institu- tion on the same terms as young men. And then are listed the following Rules for the Ladies Hall: Answer the phone cheerfully and accomodatingly-it may be for you. Always run through the halls, never walk. Visitors at midnight spreads not expert at disappearing will be furnished with pillows under the beds. Hymns f also himsj sung but not received on Sundays. The same year saw the opening of the Science Hall which was financed largely with funds from the Carnegie gifts. The science department, which had started out in the basement of East Wing, later moved out to a one story tile building resembling a Northern Power sub-station located just north of where Kirk Hall now stands. But the Morgue, as the students called it, was outgrown, and the department returned to the East Wing on first floor until the new hall was built, as well equipped a building as then existed in the state. KIRK HALL l Page Twelve

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ACALESTER grew both in size and reputation, and it became quite a task to huddle all the college activities into the East Wing. The top two Hoors served as men,s dormitory, while the matron lived on the iirst floor. The basement housed dining hall and kitchen, the quarters for the janitor-engineer, and the science laboratory. The chapel occupied room 104, and what little was left had to do for classroom space and office. To make matters worse, the panic of '93 had struck the Twin Cities full force, and no less than thirteen banks closed. Macalester's accumulated obligations of one hundred thousand dollars with which to start the year made the outlook seem so dismal that the Board decided to put a padlock on the doors and give up the school. GYMNASIUM HE GREAT Columbian Exposition was being held in Chicago, and the late Dr. James Wallace was in that city when he heard what the Trustees were planning to do. He hurried back to St. Paul to prevent such action, and after much argument the Board agreed to open the school only so long as funds be provided for its current support. The funds were not actually provided, but the college stayed open, and things improved considerably although the debt was not paid for a number of years. More room was needed so desperately that the benefactors of the college dug deep, and in 1895 Old Main was opened. Macalester had always shown a lively interest in athletics, a baseball team having been organized the first week the college was open which remained undefeated for seven years. So naturally the gymnasium in the basement of Old Main proved to be one of the most popular features of the new building. Handball remained the principal sport for a number of years, and was played both in intramural and intercollegiate competition. Then basketball was introduced, and it was soon apparent the Macalester gym would offer no end of unusual plays with a row of posts right down the center of the Hoor. Page Eleven

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HE MUSIC depart- ment was next to find new quarters. Founded by Harry Phillips in Room 103, it moved into Room 104 when Old Main was completed, and in 1915 the Wallace Hall dining room served as the recital hall with teaching studios in the small dining rooms. Ar that time Rice Hall was described as a commo- dious building given over to piano practicef, Ten years later the department moved into its present building, the old Macales- ter church. PRESlDENT'S HOME CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC HE NEW Macalester Presbyterian church building on Lincoln and Macalester was finished in 1924 and it was decided by the trustees of the church that the college should have use of the sanctuary for chapel services. Originally held in Room 104, chapel moved to the studio in 1895, at which time the faculty sat in imposing array on the platform facing the student body throughout every service. Page Thirte