University of Maine - Prism Yearbook (Orono, ME)

Page 13 text:

Military training was a part of the regular system of instruc- tion from the beginning of the college. The Spanish-American War raised the patriotic spirit of the students to a high pitch. “It was generally conceded that thorough training in chem- istry should be a prominent fea- ture of the college. And Closeness In Its Founders These rugged athletes of the University of Maine football team in 1896 are evidence that all was not only studies in the new college. 5

Page 12 text:

There Was A Pride In The Infant College Oak Hall, the first dormitory at the University, was built in 1870. Extensive repairs were made in 1895. Fire destroyed Oak in 1930, and a year later a second Oak Hall was constructed on the same site where the original building stood. The first building erected for college pur- poses was known as White Hall, but was later named Wingate Hall. It burned in 1890 and on the same site stands the present Win- gate Hall. During President Harris’ Administration it was recom- mended in the college report that a Drill Hall and Gym- nasium was needed. Alumni Hall was completed in 1901. The gymnasium was used by the men until 1926 when the new gym was built. Women’s physical education classes were held here until 1963, and now the building will house Maine's educational television station WMEB- TV.

Page 14 text:

The 1900’s: A New Era Observatory The early 1900’s brought with them the hope of a new century ... an expanded campus ... in 1902 President Fellows succeeded President Harris. The Cadet became the Maine Campus ... and in 1904 the new library Carnegie Hall was built. The appointment of the first dean “systemized the work of registration and ad- ministration.” . . . The summer session was re- vived. The Mount Vernon House built in 1833 was extended in 1898 as the first dormitory for women students. It was located at the site of the present Sigma Chi House. The Phi Gam- ma Delta House shown here in 1899 has since burned and been replaced. The first fraternity on campus the Q.V.T. withdrew from its nation- al affiliations and became part of Phi Gam. The observatory, another revelation in the cam- pus scene, was built in 1900. This view of campus in the early twentieth cent- ury showing Oak Hall, Wingate Hall, the home of the President, Coburn Hall, Alumni Hall and Holmes Hall is taken from the site on which Boardman stands today. The students of the times could not know how dif- ferent this picture would look with the addition of the Fogler Library and a beautiful mall. 6