The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

McIlvaine Memorial Hall

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McIlvaine Memorial Hall, Washington and Jefferson College

Institution Name: Washington and Jefferson College
Original/Historic Place Name: formerly the classroom building of the Washington Female Seminary
Location on Campus:
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

1897	original construction Unknown

Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:

Foundation: sandstone

Walls: brick (exterior); plaster (interior)

Roof: slate

Function:

ca. 1897-1980	auditorium (first floor theater)
ca. 1897-1980	other (laboratories)
ca. 1897-1980	classrooms
ca. 1897-1980	academic department building (biology)
ca. 1980-present (2007)	academic department building (sociology and philosophy)
ca. 1980-present (2007)	other (multi-purpose building)

Significance: education
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
Formerly part of Washington Seminary, a distinguished girls' school, this building dates to 1897. In 1940, W&J acquired McIlvaine through a bequest of Judge John A. McIlvaine, class of 1865, the former President of the board of trustees. Immediately, the building was prepared for use as a much needed Biology Department Building. Until the construction of Dieter-Porter Life Science Building in 1980, it provided classroom space, labs, and contained a first floor auditorium.

Among the interesting exterior features of McIlvaine is the portico, modeled after that at Mt. Vernon. Now a multi-purpose building, McIlvaine is the headquarters for the Sociology and Philosophy Departments, as well as the site of some classes for various English courses.

See also the entry for the John Leighton Stewart Tower and Stephen Collins Foster Carillon

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

"The Archives: The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta." Online (2006). Washington College, Washington, PA. http://www.phigam.org/history/Sites/washington_pa.htm

Coleman, Helen Turnbull Waite. Banners in the Wilderness. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh Press, 1956.

Dober, Lidsky, Craig, and Associates. Washington & Jefferson College: Campus plan 2001. [Belmont, MA: Dober, Lidsky, Craig, and Associates], 2001.

Donnelly, J. B. Venerable W & J at 200. Washington, PA: Washington & Jefferson College, 1980.

LaQuarta, Jack. Washington & Jefferson College Landscape Master Plan. Pittsburgh, PA: [s.n.], 1983.

W & J: The Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Washington & Jefferson College. Washington, PA: Washington & Jefferson College.

W & J Walker Volunteer Manual. Handbook. [Washington, PA: Washington & Jefferson College, n.d.].

II. Location of other data:

University: Library, Special Collections, Facilities Management Office