University of Delaware - Blue Hen Yearbook (Newark, DE)

Page 16 text:

Ow College embodies the heart and soul of undergrad- uate life at Delaware. Constructed in 1833-34 from funds made available by the State Legislature charter in 1833, it remained the sole college building until after 1870. The Oratory , as it was then called, was dormitory, refectory, and recitation hall combined, as well as public lecture hall and meeting place. In 1916 Old College was completely renovated. The archi- tects first unroofed the building and then removed the whole interior, so that little remained except the outer walls. The interior was then remodeled as we know it now with the commons , student activities room, lounge, and faculty rooms. The exterior of the building was altered only in minor details. The cupola, which had been a familiar part of the old building, was removed, the cld wooden steps were replaced by a granite stairway, and the old Doric pillars were replaced by new cnes. On the south wall beneath the main portico may still be seen the initials of past graduates laboriously carved in the bricks nearly a century ago.

Page 18 text:

PuURNELL HALL, built as a private home and purchased from the Evans family, has served a varied existence in the services of the University. It has been used successively as a Chapter House for the Kappa Alpha Fraternity, as a home for the Y. M. C. A., as a General Library, and is used now as the offices of the departments of English and History. During 1917 and 1918 when the University was turned into a veritable shop of war , Purnell Hall served as the headquarters of the Local Draft Board for New Castle County. Purnell Hall was named for William Henry Purnell, a grad- uate of the class of 1846 and president of the College from 1870 to 1885. Doctor Purnell came to the presidency of the College from an active public and military life. He had gained great renown as Colonel of the Purnair Legion which he organized early in the Civil War.