St Johns College - Yearbook (Annapolis, MD)

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McDowell Hall J HE first attempt to establish a college in Maryland was made by the A A General Assembly, convened in the city of St. Mary's, in the year 1671. In 1694, thethen governor, Sir Francis Nicholson, again revived the question and offered to give money for the maintenance of a college. No action was, taken at this time, but in 1696 an act was passed which resulted in the establishment of King William's School. This act recites that the school .vvas established for the propagation of the Gospel and education of youth in good letters and manners. T Kir1g'William's School was thus established. Governor Nicholson gave to the school a lot in the town of Annapolis, with the house thereon, and the Legislature appropriated money to it, but the schoolhouse was not finished until I7OI. It Was of brick, and stood on the south side of the State House. Q In 1730 proposals for founding a college at Annapolis were made, but no legislative effect was giventhem. The -project was again revived in 1763. A committee of the General Assembly recommended that the building in the city of Annapolis which was intended for the Governor-of the province be completely finished and used for the college proposed to be established, the money for the work to come out of the public treasury. I ' This building referred to by the committee of the General Assembly is now McDowell Hall. V In 1784 the charter of St. Iohn's College was granted. By act, in 1785, the property and funds andstudents of King William'.s School were conveyed to St. Iohn's College. I Cn November II, 1789, the. College was formally opened, and the dedication was performed with much solemnity, all the public bodies being in attendance and forming a long procession from the State House to McDowell Hall. C ' , McDowell Hall is situated at about the center of our college buildings, facing College avenue and looking directly down Prince George street. In the center, on the first floor, is the chapel. This chapel extends to theientire height of the building, and Roman-like, doors open into it from the surrounding rooms. The Faculty room andthe President's office are on its right, and the reading room directly above the President's office. The Philokalian Society. has its room in the Western corner on the third floor, and the Philomathean has its room in the eastern corner of the same floor. The other rooms of the building are used as recitation rooms., 2 IQ'