Frances Willard Hall: A Century of Transformation
For a century, Frances Willard Hall has stood as a testament to evolving needs and purposes. This article delves into the rich history of this building, tracing its journey from a women's dormitory to a multifaceted space serving diverse functions.
Honoring Frances Willard
The building was named after Frances Willard, a prominent figure of the late 1800s known for her tireless work as a temperance activist, women’s suffragette, and advocate for other reforms. Despite having no direct connection to Pittsburg or Kansas State Teachers College (K. S. T. C.), her legacy of social activism made her a fitting namesake for a building dedicated to education and community.
From Dormitory to Diverse Use
Originally opened as a women’s dormitory, Willard Hall could accommodate 112 female students. A pamphlet from that era described the program of educations is concerned with the development of the whole personality of each student, a policy that makes the living center of the student, the out-of-class room life of the student, as important as is the actual academic study of that student. During World War II, the building was repurposed to house Navy personnel who were training in Pittsburg, displacing the female residents. After the war, it was reinstated as a women’s residence hall, serving this purpose until 1970.
A Glimpse into the Past: Life in Willard Hall
The 1936 Kanza issue featured a letter from a woman named Marjorie to her sister Mary Jo, detailing her “lively” experience living on the 2nd floor of Willard Hall. Marjorie described being woken up by girls singing carols and running down to the parlor to see a Christmas tree and gifts for all the resident girls, as well as a warm breakfast to enjoy just before Christmas Vacation. She also suggests toasting delicious marshmallows over the fireplace, and how intimidatingly large the building was upon first touring it- but within twenty-four hours, the spacious and friendly parlors as well as every floor will be familiar. Marjorie describes in her parting letter: “Never miss a party at Willard Hall."
The pamphlet also detailed the accommodations for each student and room, plus floor plans of each corresponding floor and rooms. Two parlors furnished with easy chairs, magazines, daily papers, library tables, and lamps provided ample opportunity for social functions that justly form a part of every woman’s life. A large social room of similar decoration with a provided piano, radio, victrola, and fireplace (which still stands today) served a similar purpose. A recreation room in the basement also allowed for more activities such as archery, ping pong, shuffleboard, and board game tables.
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For each double room, girls were provided with sheets, mattresses, chairs, desks, beds, library tables, chiffoniers, trash bins, a closet, a lavatory with hot and cold water, lighting, and curtains. Hall conveniences included ice water, a sewing machine for each floor, pencil sharpeners, a local telephone, mirrors, buzzer connections for each floor, ironing boards, and washing machines. A first floor inside double room went for $7.00 each, and $7.50 each for double corner rooms, making a grand total of $14.00 for a standard double room on the first floor. ‘Singles’ went for only $9.00.
A Period of Transition
For 28 years, from 1970 onward, Willard Hall transitioned through various roles, housing faculty and staff offices, as well as Police and Parking Services.
Centennial Celebration
Recently, the Resident Assistants of Willard Hall hosted a centennial celebration, complete with snacks, birthday cake, decorations, music, games, and trivia about the building. Attendees could listen to music, play a game of pool, learn trivia and facts about Willard Hall as well as enjoy a piece of Birthday cake. Board games and festivities also continued outside.
One Resident Assistant shared, “I absolutely love it, it has been a great experience getting to learn more leadership skills, get more responsibility, and overall meet a lot of really cool people and get involved on campus. It’s a really cool opportunity to be staying in a building this old, especially this year being my first as an RA. So, I am excited to continue being a n RA next year and continue that legacy."
Architectural Style and Significance
Willard Hall was one of the first buildings completed on campus, being the first dormitory, and the seventh building overall.
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