Building information

The Adams Bell Tower was a gift to Norwich University from Dr. Porter H. Adams, as a memorial to his mother. Adams was president of the institution from 1934 to 1939.

When the tower was built in 1956, the carillon contained 36 bells. In 1959, 11 bells were added, bringing the total to 47.

In 1910, the building known today as Ainsworth Hall was constructed as the United States Weather Bureau on property belonging to Norwich University. The building was handed back to the University in 1948, and it was remodeled as the administrative headquarters of the campus in 1951 at a cost of $30,000. In 1955, the administration moved to Dewey Hall. Ainsworth Infirmary was demolished to make room for Harmon Hall and the infirmary was moved to the former Weather Bureau/Administration building. Additional space and facilities were added at a cost of $100,000.

The original infirmary was built in 1915 through the efforts of Mrs. Laura Ainsworth, widow of Capt. James E. Ainsworth (NU 1853). Ainsworth was an engineer who laid more than 2,000 miles of railroad track in the Midwest. When the infirmary was demolished and moved to the Weather Bureau/Administration building, the original name was kept.

• Wheelchair access at entrance on west side
• Public restroom

Alumni Hall housed Corps of Cadets Rooks.

• Corps of Cadets

Alumni Hall was built in 1905 when it became apparent that the original Jackman Hall could not house the increasing the number of cadets.

Gen. Grenville M Dodge (Class of 1851) pledged $10,000 towards construction of this resedential building at an alumni meeting in New York. Other alumni pledged money as well, including Edward D. Adams (Class of 1864), who matched Dodge’s pledge. The building became an alumni project, hence the name. The project was dedicated to Norwich University founder Capt. Alden Partridge. The cornerstone was laid June 22, 1905 and construction completed in 1906.

Andrews Hall houses the offices of Sports Information, and the Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletic Departments. Facilities include basketball and racquetball courts, and various equipment and training rooms. The Norwich University Athletic Hall of Fame Room is also located in Andrews.

• Men’s Basketball
• Women’s Basketball
• Volleyball
• Athletics
• Physical Education
• Wheelchair access at main entrance on east side
• Wheelchair accessible public restroom

The hall is named in honor of Paul Revere Andrews, who graduated cum laude from Norwich University in 1930. He became president and chairman of the board of Prentice Hall in 1965 and 1971, respectively. Andrews was appointed a Norwich trustee in 1958 and general chairman of the Norwich University Development Program in 1976. Andrews Hall, completed in 1980, was dedicated in his honor on May 7, 1982.

The hall is named in honor of A. J. Bartoletto in recognition of he and his wife’s significant and faithful contributions to the University. Bartoletto was also awarded an honorary degree.

• Architecture & Art
• Wheelchair access at main entrance on east side
• Wheelchair accessible public restroom

Chaplin Hall was originally constructed as Carnegie Hall in 1907. The funds for construction were provided by Andrew Carnegie. The top two floors of this building housed a library while the bottom two were occupied by the fledgling Electrical Engineering Department. The original building was 60 x 65 feet. When electrical engineering moved to Partridge Hall in 1941, the entire building was converted to a library.

The building was renovated completely in 1952, with the majority of the money for this undertaking donated by Henry P. Chaplin. The following year, the building was rededicated as the Henry Prescott Chaplin Memorial Library. A new addition in 1961 nearly doubled the library’s size. In 1993, with the construction of Kreitzberg Library and the move of all undergraduate programs to the Northfield campus, the building was converted to accommodate the School of Architecture & Art.

Henry P. Chaplin was a graduate of Brown University and served in the Motor Transport Corps during World War I. He was later president of the Cone Automatic Machine Company of Windsor, Vermont. He remained a trustee of Norwich University from 1952 until his death in 1961.

This facility houses offices and classrooms of the Communications Program. In addition, the Guidon student newspaper office, Norwich University TV studio, and WNUB-FM, the campus radio station, are also located here.

• Communications Program

The present building stands on the site of the first building in Center Northfield. It was purchased by the University in 1973 and restored in 1988.

This residential building houses traditional upper class undergraduate students. Milano Ballroom—used for informal gatherings and formal affairs such as the Regimental Ball—is located on the ground floor.

• Wheelchair access at entrance on west side

Crawford Hall has been used as a dormitory since all undergraduate programs and students were relocated to the Northfield campus in 1993. It is named after David C. Crawford, class of ’52.

Milano Ballroom, dedicated May 5, 1989, was funded by a gift from Jill Kirkpatrick Milano (Class of ’66), and Joseph A. Milano, Jr. (Class of ’66).

Rear Admiral George Dewey, a Montpelier, Vt. resident, commanded the Asiatic Squadron in the war with Spain (1898) that defeated the Spanish fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay. Prior to accepting an appointment at the United States Naval Academy, he attended Norwich University from 1851 to 1854.

In honor of the admiral and his achievement, plans were made to construct a new building with his name. Ground was broken for Dewey Hall in 1899, and it was completed in 1902. Originally the building was two stories high, with the lower floor occupied by offices of the president, commandant, assistant treasurer, Dewey Hall stenographer, and the university library and museum. Rooms for trustees and faculty, an assembly room/chapel with seating for 500, and the United States Weather Bureau were located on the second floor.

In 1908, the library and part of the museum was moved to the Carnegie Library building (now Chaplin Hall). In 1910, the Weather Bureau was also moved, with the extra space used by the Military Department and for other purposes. Defective wiring in the building caused a major fire on the morning of October 27, 1925, causing estimated damages of between $25,000 and $35,000. Dewey Hall was rebuilt as a three-story structure.

Built in 1937, Dodge Hall was the first residential building completed on the Northfield campus after Alumni Hall was built in 1905. It was renovated in 1998.

Originally named Cabot Hall in honor of Dr. Godfrey L. Cabot, the name was changed when the original Dodge Hall was demolished in 1965.

Maj. Gen. Grenville M. Dodge (Class of 1851) served in the Civil War. He was active in the reconstruction of bridges and railroads that had been destroyed during the fighting. After the war, he worked as chief engineer of the Union Pacific Railroad. In this capacity, he completed construction of the Union Pacific Railroad from Omaha to Promontory Point, Utah, and made more than 100,000 miles of railroad surveys. He served as a Norwich trustee from 1882 to his death in 1916 and assisted in the organization of the Alumni Association of New York City.

Construction on this residence hall began in fall of 1962 and was completed in a year. Gerard is the newest residential building on the Upper Parade Ground. It houses 180 students and is of the same size and construction as Goodyear Hall, which was built earlier in 1955. The cost of construction was $601,000.

The building is named after Jacques A. Gerard, a Russian-born American industrialist and philanthropist who set up the Gerard Foundation in 1951 as a charitable organization to assist educational institutes and needy students financially. He became a member of the Board of Trustees in June, 1959. Examples of Gerard’s corporate leadership include assisting in the set up of the Cone Automatic Machine Company in England in 1953 and serving as vice president, director, and a member of the executive committee of Amertool Services, Inc.

Goodyear is a residence hall that houses Corps of Cadets Rooks.

• Corps of Cadets

Goodyear was completed in fall of 1955. Construction funds were obtained on a loan basis from the U.S. government. The building and equipment were valued at $490,000 at the time. Goodyear was renovated in 1999.

The building is named after Maj. Gen. Conger A. Goodyear, a Norwich trustee. A veteran World Wars I and II, he also served as Republican State Treasurer for New York in 1922. Goodyear was one of the founders of the Museum of Modern Art (1938) and was its first president. His private art collection contained more than 280 works. Other prominent posts held by Goodyear included president and chairman of the board of the American National Theater and Academy (during the 1930’s), a director of Paramount Pictures and chairman of Gaylord Container Corporation.

Goodyear is a 14x25-yard indoor pool with five seven-foot-wide lanes and is housed in a brick addition to Plumley Armory.

The pool was completed in spring of 1962 and upgraded and renovated in 1995

The pool is named after Maj. Gen. A. Conger Goodyear, who donated the majority of the $346,349 cost of installation as well as the cost of the architectural services. An 1899 graduate of Yale University, Goodyear remained an officer in the New York National Guard and was a veteran of both World Wars.

The cornerstone for Hawkins Hall was laid during Commencement Week in 1940. This building is named after Gen. Rush Hawkins, a benefactor of the University. The hall was renovated in 1994.

In 1921, Gen. Hawkins bequeathed part of his estate to Norwich, an amount of almost $350,000. Hawkins was a colonel of the 9th New York Infantry during the Civil War. He was also an officer of the Legion of Honor of France. Brown University conferred an honorary Master of Arts degree upon him in 1874 and a Doctor of Laws degree was accorded to him by the University of Vermont in 1900. He served as a member of the New York House of Representatives and was known as a book collector and writer. His collection included Better Than Men and Titles of First Books from the Earliest Presses.

The property was originally purchased in 1909 for use as the U.S. Weather Bureau. It was renovated in 1989

Hollis is named after David B. “Dixie” Hollis, who graduated from Norwich in 1922 with a degree in chemistry. He went on to pursue a successful career in business and real estate development. A commemorative plaque eulogizes him as:
“Norwich’s ‘Southern Gentleman’ who will forever be remembered for his grace, wit, charm, and compassion for our great University and for the future well being of our students.”

When he died in 1993, Hollis left Norwich $7 million, the largest gift to the University at that time.

The land now known as Howard Field was purchased in 1895–96 through financial assistance provided by General O.O. Howard, USA. It was initially used for riding and polo, and after cavalry training ended at Norwich, for football practice, soccer, tennis, and baseball.

Jackman Hall is home to administrative offices, including the President’s Office, Development and Alumni Relations, Commandant, Dean of Students, Human Resources Registrar, and Bursar. Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) offices—for the Army and Air Force are located on Jackman’s lower level.

• Human Resources
• Air Force ROTC
• Army ROTC
• Wheelchair access at entrance on north side
• Public restroom

Norwich University moved to Northfield from Norwich, Vermont in 1866 when the South Barracks at the older location burnt down. Jackman Hall was the first building to be constructed at the new site. In 1907, the hall was built in 1868 and, in 1907, named after Gen. Alonzo Jackman (Class of 1836), a faculty member. It initially served as cadet housing.

In 1952, the main (south) entrance was remodeled with the addition of a $33,000 brick portico. The building was repainted and modern plumbing and fixtures were added in 1954. Maintaining the antiquated barracks proved too costly, and the building was demolished so a new building could be constructed in its place.

Since newer barracks such as Gerard Hall were sufficient to house the student body, the new Jackman Hall was designed as an administration building, which is still it’s purpose.

Construction, which began in 1964, was financed by the Higher Education Facilities Act of 1963, which permitted colleges to borrow federal money for building projects not related to faculty or student housing. A bronze plaque in the main entrance of the commemorates the building’s history.

Juckett is home to Electrical & Computer Engineering and Information Technology Services.

• Electrical & Computer Engineering

Juckett—renovated in 1996—is named after J. Walter Juckett, who graduated from Norwich in 1930. He headed the Sandy Hill Corporation; served as vice chairman of the Norwich University Board of Trustees; and was a member of the Adirondack Community College Board of Trustees.

The 59,000-square-foot arena has a 200 x 90-foot ice surface and seats 1,400, with a maximum capacity of 5,000 for special events.

• Men’s Hockey
• Wheelchair access at main entrance on south side
• Wheelchair accessible public restroom

Kreitzberg Arena is named in honor of Fred (Class of ’57) and Barbara Kreitzberg. Construction on this multi-purpose arena was completed in the spring of 1998.

Kreitzberg Library

The library provides electronic and print information resources and services to support all graduate and undergraduate programs. This beautifully appointed six-story structure features numerous individual and group study spaces, an electronic classroom, and a large room for cultural events.

Student Counseling and Psychological Services Center

Counseling, psychotherapy, and psychological assessment services are available for all members of the University community at the center.

Academic Achievement Center

The center offers one-on-one support to students with senior and peer tutors in most content areas as well as general academic coaching and support to students needing accommodations, on probation, or newly readmitted to Norwich.

• Kreitzberg Library
• Wheelchair access at main entrance on north side
• Wheelchair accessible public restroom

Kreitzberg Library—opened in spring of 1993—is named in recognition of Barbara and Fred Kreitzberg (Class of ’57). Mr. Kreitzberg served as chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Partridge Hall is named after Capt. Alden Partridge, USA, who founded the American Literary, Scientific, and Military Academy that went on to become Norwich University. Alden Partridge was born in Norwich, Vt. in 1785 and attended Dartmouth College before being appointed to the United States Military Academy and graduating with the Class of October 1806. After graduating he held various positions at the Academy before leaving as the superintendent in 1817 and establishing the forerunner of Norwich University (1819).

Construction of $75,000 Partridge Hall, a building dedicated to the Department of Civil and Electrical Engineering, began in 1941. Contributions accounted for $46,642.21 of the cost. The building was renovated in 1996

Built in 1958, $410,000 Patterson Hall housed 127 cadets. As with Ransom and Goodyear Halls before it, money for construction was obtained on a loan basis from the federal government.

The building is named after Harry W. Patterson, who graduated Norwich in 1909 with a civil engineering degree. He later became a Norwich trustee. Patterson donated generously to his alma mater, and his gifts were spent on faculty housing, electrical engineering equipment, and equipment for Harmon Hall. He also took a special interest in ensuring that faculty obtained housing at reasonable rates and also provided funds for faculty to take leaves of absence to pursue graduate work and research.

Plumley contains basketball courts, the Stabile Fitness Center (which includes free weights, Nautilus, and cardio machines), a running track, and locker rooms. Navy & Marine Corps ROTC is also located here. The main floor has space to seat 4,000.

• Marine Corps and Navy ROTC

Construction started in 1928 on an armory that would house military and athletic facilities. Plumley is 248 feet long and 106.75 feet wide.

The original cost of construction was $300,000, of which $50,000 was met from an appropriation from State of Vermont funds dedicated to construction of state armories. A gift of $25,000 from Edward Dean Adams (Class of 1864), was also used. The remaining funding came from the University.

The armory remained nameless for more than 40 years until it was christened the Charles A. Plumley Armory at the Founder»s Day Convocation on Oct. 20, 1962. Charles Plumley graduated from Norwich in 1896 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and received additional degrees from Norwich (A.M, 1899; LL.D, 1921; Litt.D, 1947), Middlebury College (LL.D, 1922), Boston University (LL.D, 1940), and the University of Vermont (LL.D, 1941). He was a captain in the Vermont National Guard and later a colonel in the Officers Reserve Corps. He served as president of Norwich University from 1920 to 1934, before being elected to the United States Congress as Vermont’s sole representative.

The hall is named after Col. Truman B. Ransom, who was the second president of Norwich University (1844–47). Ransom left Norwich to take part in the Mexican War and was killed on the assault on Chapultepec.

A Housing & Home Finance Agency loan from the U.S. government paid for construction of Ransom Hall. Norwich was the first university to receive this type of loan from this agency. Built in 1952, Ransom Hall was the first of many buildings completed during Gen. Ernest N. Harmon’s presidency. Construction of this building allowed enrollment in the Corps of Cadets to increase to 700.

The Admissions Office and Visitor’s Center are in Roberts Hall.

• Admissions
• Wheelchair access through Crawford Hall at entrance on west side
• Wheelchair accessible public restroom

Prior to 1993, rooms in Roberts were used as meeting and multipurpose areas. Earlier, Roberts Hall was a fraternity house.

The building was dedicated Roberts Hall on June 11, 1955, in memory of Herbert Rufus Roberts. He had remained associated with Norwich as teacher, dean, and counselor from 1892 to 1932. The plaque that commemorates the dedication remembers him as: “A man of kindly and friendly nature who found peace, contentment, and satisfaction in his profession. A mature judgement and intelligent approach to academic and personnel problems created his efficient and constructive contributions to the institution he served for 40 years.”

Sabine was dedicated Oct. 8, 1921 and originally included a football gridiron, quarter-mile running track, and baseball diamond. The name commemorates Dr. George K. Sabine’s (Class of 1868) son, George K. Sabine, Jr. Sabine senior donated money for purchase of the land the field was built on.

Shapiro houses a multipurpose arena with a 200-meter indoor running track, four tennis courts, and a climbing wall. It is also used for athletic practices, Commencement, concerts, and other university functions.

The building was completed in 1987 and is named after Jacob Shapiro (Class of ’36). Shapiro served with distinction in World War II as an Army officer and retired as a colonel in 1946. In civilian life, he remained active as a successful entrepreneur and manufacturer. He served as a member of the University Board of Trustees for many years.

This building houses the barber shop, Army Supply rooms and offices, and the Ranger and Mountain Cold Weather teams.

• Mountain Cold Weather
  Harsh conditions test cadets’ rescue-readiness [article]
• Ranger Company
• Wheelchair access at main entrance on south side

Constructed in 1919 at a cost of $25,000 that included a $10,000 gift from General Rush C. Hawkins, the facility originally served as the cavalry stable. It was converted to the Student Service Center in 1962.

The museum houses Norwich University’s 15,000+ collection of historical artifacts. Changing exhibitions focus on the unique stories of the NU community. Engaging hands-on activities offered include learning stations, interactive exhibit elements, and resources for research projects.

• Sullivan Museum & History Center
• Wheelchair access at main entrance on northwest side
• Wheelchair accessible public restroom

Dedicated Jan. 29, 2007, the museum is named in honor of retired U.S. Army Gen. Gordon R. Sullivan (Class of ’59), who was the 32nd Chief of Staff, member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and is the current chairman of the Norwich University Board of Trustees. James Pritzker, former trustee and founder of the Pritzker Military Library in Chicago, provided generous support for the museum project.

• Norwich celebrates leadership with address, museum opening [article]

Tompkins Hall was built in 1951 at a cost of $276,000 with funding primarily by gifts from alumni and friends of the University. The hall was renovated in 1997.

The building was named Tompkins Hall on June 7, 1952 to honor Col. Frank Tompkins, who served as professor of Military Science and Tactics and commandant from 1910 through 1923. Tomkins was a Norwich trustee for 22 years. He fought in World War I, saw service in Cuba and the Philippines, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart—among other military decorations—in recoginition of his bravery, service, sacrifice, and contribution.

Webb is home of the School of Humanities and its Department of Modern Languages and Department of English & Communications. Dole Auditorium—which seats more than 400—is also located here.

• School of Humanities
  • Modern Languages
  • English & Communications
• Wheelchair access at main entrance on south side
• Public restroom

Webb Hall was completed in 1960 at a cost of $630,000.

The building is named after J. Watson Webb, who was a Norwich trustee and benefactor. He was a Yale graduate and founder of the firm of Webb & Lynch in New York City. Webb was also an outstanding polo player and a member of the American team that won the international cup in 1921, 1924, and 1927. He contributed the lion’s share of funds necessary for construction. Other contributors included J. Walter Juckett, Jacques Gerard, and General A. Conger Goodyear.

Dole Auditorium is named for Prof. Charles Dole (Class of 1869), who served the University in various capacities including acting president, vice president, commandant, secretary of the faculty, professor of history and rhetoric, and instructor in mathematics and Latin. He went on to become president of the Dole, Brill, Black Slate Company and was also Northfield’s representative in the Vermont Legislature for a year.

Services regularly held include Catholic Mass on Saturday and Sunday, Protestant Worship on Sunday, and Islamic Prayers (held on the lower floor) on Friday.

• Religious Services

The building is named after Eugene L. White, a Norwich alumnus and trustee whose gift made the construction possible. Completed in 1941, the building was originally designed as a multi-purpose building. White Hall served as a mess hall with a dining room, lunch room, kitchen, college store, and recreational room.

White Hall was converted to Norwich’s first chapel after Harmon Hall opened as a dining center in 1955. Cost was $144,000, provided by donations and gifts. The raftered ceiling and arched windows of the original building lent themselves to the redesign, although space had to be added for the altar, pipe organ, and choir. Other additions included the steeple clock, brass altar service, chimes, and a silver communion. There are two bronze plaques on the walls honoring Norwich war dead.

Eugene White earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1914 and a Civil Engineering degree in 1915. He served as a captain of infantry during World War I and returned to manage and lead several utilities in New York, New Jersey, and Vermont. Honorary degrees conferred upon him by Norwich include a Master of Science in 1937 and a Doctor of Law in 1946. He was a trustee from 1932 to 1944 and again from 1949 until his death in 1951.

Completion of Wilson Hall in 1961 allowed the Corps of Cadets to expand to 1200. It houses 137 students. Like Ransom Hall before it, Wilson was financed by the Housing and Home Finance Agency of the federal government. The hall was renovated in 1997.

The building is named after Stanley Calef Wilson, a lawyer and jurist who served two terms in the Vermont House of Representatives (1915 & 1925), one term in the State Senate (1927–28), and two terms as Governor of Vermont (1931 & 1933). He was the judge of the Superior Court of Vermont from 1917–23. Wilson was elected to the Norwich University Board of Trustees in 1915, and served for more than half a century, 15 years as chairman.

Wise Campus Center is the campus’ social hub, with expected amenities such as a dining hall, buffet-style servery, bookstore, mail room, etc. But the WCC also includes undexpected features, such as a double-height winter garden, cherry wood paneling, granite countertops, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, a 21-and-over pub, and a theater-quality screening room.

• Wise Campus Center
• Wheelchair access at entrance on west side
• Wheelchair accessible public restroom
• Public phone
• ATM

Construction on the 71,420-square-foot center began in May, 2006, based provide a larger, more modern facility to serve Norwich students in place of Harmon Hall, which was constructed in 1955. Student population has doubled in the interim. The center began serving the Norwich community fall of 2007.

The center is named in honor of Cliff Wise, uncle of Norwich Trustee Emeritus Robert Mack ’64. Mack pledged $4 million to the project, the largest single gift ever from a living Norwich alumnus.

The $25–million project was funded from three sources: the Norwich Forever! fundraising campaign, established deferred maintenance accounts and borrowing.

The building is named in memory of Carl Vose Woodbury, Norwich University faculty member from 1900–1948, who served as professor of physics and department head from 1927–1948. Prof. Woodbury was respected and admired as the “Grand Old Man of Norwich.”