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| Institution Name: Albright College
Original/Historic Place Name: Howe Hall
Location on Campus:
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):| 1882 | original construction Unknown | | 1888 | addition (second floor) Unknown | | 1905 | remodelling (basement, addition of physics laboratory) Unknown | | 1914-1933 | installation of clock and bell (tower) Unknown | | post- 1923 | installation of stained glass windows Unknown | | 1924 | expansion Unknown |
Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:
| Foundation: masonry | | Walls: wood | | Roof: unspecified (original); asphalt shingle (current) | | | Function:
| 1882-1888 | chapel (Episcopal Diocesan School for Boys) | | 1882-1888 | other (armory) | | 1882-1888 | gymnasium (Episcopal Diocesan School for Boys) | | 1888-1902 | other (headmaster's office, Episcopal Diocesan School for Boys) | | 1888-1902 | classrooms (Episopal Diocesan School for Boys) | | 1888-1902 | other (boys' dormitory, Episcopal School for Boys) | | ca. 1902-1941 | other (boys' dormitory, Schuylkill Seminary) | | 1905-? | other (physic's laboratory, Schuylkill Seminary) | | ca. 1923-n.d. | chapel (Schuylkill College) | | 1941-1945 | residence hall (women's) | | ca. 1950-1989 | academic department building (art department) | | 1990-present (2007) | other (storage) |
Significance:
Landmark designation: Narrative: see below
References: see below |
Narrative:
Originallly built in 1882 and named Howe Hall in honor of Bishop M. A. DeWolfe Howe, this red brick building (later painted white) was a focal point on the campus of the Episcopal Diocesan School for Boys. It was used as a chapel, gymnasium, and armory, and incorporated technologies characteristic of the period: steam heat and gas lighting. The Shingle style building was purchased in 1902 for use as a chapel by the Schuylkill Seminary which, in 1923, became known as Schuylkill College. Since Albright College was formed in 1929 by merging with Schuylkill College, this structure is a potent reminder of the early history of the college, its religious heritage, and the changing functions and needs of the school (and its predecessor institutions) over time.
| References: | | I. Bibliographic sources: | Barth, Eugene H. Discovery and Promise: A History of Albright College, 1856-1981. Reading, PA: Albright College, 1989.
Gingrich, R. Wilbur, and Barth, Eugene H. A History of Albright College. Reading, PA: Albright College, 1956.
| | II. Location of other data: | | University: Special Collections, Facilities Management Office | |
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