Embassy

Date

1907-1932 (private); 1932-ca. 1963 (college)

Location

210 North Professor Street (demolished)

Architects/Collaborators

Builder unknown

Style

Shingle Style

History

The house and property at 210 North Professor Street came into the possession of the College by purchase from the Pope sisters, who had conducted it for many years as a private boarding house for college women. This use continued until 1932, when the College purchased the property and changed it to be a residence and dining hall for men. Beginning in 1933 it was known as “The Embassy.” Thirty-five men were accommodated for rooms in this house, and there were table board accommodations for twenty-five additional men. During the Second World War, when Oberlin was the officer training headquarters for a Navy V-12 Unit, the house was given over to the Graduate School of Theology in 1943 as a temporary dormitory. (It is worth noting that President Wilkins welcomed the young servicemen as Oberlin College students during their posting at Oberlin.) In 1952-54, "The Embassy" was used as a boarding house for women. Other nicknames for Embassy include “The Vatican,” “The Monastery,” and “Graduate House.” The Embassy was discontinued as a College dormitory in 1963. The site is now occupied by Bailey House built in 1968.

Sources

Oberlin College Archives, Office of the Secretary Records.

Oberlin College Archives, Office of Business and Finance Records.

Oberlin College Archives, unpublished report on College buildings and projects by Karl Aughenbaugh with photographs by Geoffrey Blodgett, ca. 1953, RG 21 Oberlin File, IV. A. College Miscellany.