Residential
Building
Alumni Hall was built in 1905 when it became apparent that the original Jackman Hall could not house the increasing the number of cadets. Professor Brill, the first Dean of Norwich University, lead the team that studied the proposition and drew up the initial plans.
The problem for the funding of this residential building was resolved by General Grenville M. Dodge (NU 1851) who pledged $10,000 towards construction at an alumni meeting in New York. Following his lead, other alumni pledged money as well, including Edward D. Adams (NU 1864), who pledged the same amount. Henceforth, the residential building became an alumni project, from which it inherits its name. It was decided to undertake the project in memory of Captain Alden Partridge, founder of Norwich University. Eventually, the original specifications were scrapped and newer plans drawn up by Frank A. Walker of Montpelier were used.
The
cornerstone for the building was laid on June 22, 1905 and construction
was completed in the summer of 1906. The building was originally
161 feet in length and 58 feet 10 inches wide. It is 3 stories high
on the Upper Parade ground side and 4 stories high in the rear.
Alumni Hall houses approximately 199 students. In 1910, the basement
was concreted and a ventilation system was installed. And in 1934,
additions to the rear side improved and increased the toilet facilities.
Further renovations took place during the administration of General
Ernest N. Harmon at a cost of $17,500. For many years, the Physics
and Military (mainly Engineering and Signal Corps) Departments used
the basement of Alumni Hall. Today, however, the whole building
is used as barracks for the Corps of Cadets.
WILSON HALL
Residential Building
Wilson Hall was built as a residential building in 1960-61, allowing the Corps of Cadets to expand to 1200. It houses 137 students. Like Ransom Hall before it, Wilson Hall was also financed by the Housing and Home Finance Agency of the federal government. It 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 also remained the Judge of the Superior Court of Vermont from 1917-23. Stanley Wilson was elected to the Norwich University Board of Trustees in 1915, and served for more than half a century, remaining Chairman for fifteen years.
Residential Building
Housing
approximately 167 cadets, Goodyear Hall was ready in the Fall of
1955. The funds for construction were obtained on a loan basis from
the U.S. government. The building and equipment were valued at $490,000
at the time. It was renovated in 1999.
The
building was named for Major General Conger A. Goodyear, a Norwich
trustee. A veteran of both World Wars, he also served as Republican
State Treasurer for New York in 1922. General Goodyear was one of
the founders of the Museum of Modern Art (1938) and remained its
first president. His private art collection contained over two hundred
and eighty works. Other prominent posts that he held 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. See also Goodyear
Pool.
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Source: Guinn, Robert Darius, The History of Norwich University, 1912-1965.