Society Hall

Date

1868-1917

Location

Tappan Square, near Professor Street (demolished)

Architects/Collaborators

Builder unknown

Style

Italianate

History

The construction of Society Hall was begun in 1867 and completed in 1868. It was a two-story brick building built at the same time and in the same style as French Hall, located on the west side of the Campus near the north end. As originally designed, the first floor contained three lecture rooms, while on the second floor there was a society room, from which the building took its name, and library rooms for the College and U.L.A. libraries. These libraries were located in Society Hall until the erection of Spear Library in 1885. In 1887, upon the completion of Peters Hall, the building was remodelled and the first floor was assigned to the Academy Department (preparatory school operated by the College) for recitation purposes. The second floor had previously (in 1885) become the headquarters of the department of Drawing and Painting. This use continued until 1917, when Society Hall was torn down in accordance with the plan to clear the central campus on Tappan Square of all buildings.

Source

Oberlin College Archives, Office of the Secretary Records.