Brown Hall
From Special Collections Research Center Wiki
Brown Hall is a dormitory located on the corner of Prince George Street and North Boundary Street.
Constructed: 1924
Moved and rebuilt: 1930
Renovations: 1974
Named for: Mrs. Edward Brown
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The original Brown Hall, now known as the Prince George House, was established in 1924 with funds from the Dyson estate and the Browns and was named in honor of Mrs. Jane Brown and Cornelia Brown, members of a prominent Methodist family. It accommodated 12-14 girls. In 1930 it was sold to the College of William and Mary and moved to a new site on Prince George Street.
The new Brown Hall was built in 1930 with funds left by Mrs. Edward Brown of Lynchburg under the supervision of trustees for the Board of Home Missions of the Women's Missionary Society of the Virginia Methodist Conference. Brown Hall was built as an all-girls' dormitory that would house 78 girls (not restricted to Methodists). A reception room, living room, service kitchenette, and rooms for a matron and Bible teacher were included in the design of the building.(The Flat Hat, 4/18/1930, 2) The designer was Charles M. Robinson, the College architect, and the contractor was J.W. Davis. Ground was broken May 17, 1930. (The Flat Hat, 9/26/1930, 1, 4, 8)
Brown Hall was purchased by the College of William and Mary in 1939.(Board of Visitors, Feb. 1939, p. 431; June 1939, P. 464, 467; See also Office of the President, J.S. Bryan, Acc. 1979.35 under Brown Hall) Beginning in 1943 it housed the Army Specialized Training cadets.(Board of Visitors, Oct. 2, p. 290) The AST unit left Brown Hall in March 1944 and the dormitory was rented to service men and families living in Williamsburg. (Board of Visitors, June 2, p.347; Board of Visitors, Oct. 7, 1944, p. 363) Brown Hall served as housing for men in 1946-1951, when it was re-equipped and redecorated to become a women's dorm again. (The Flat Hat, 2/20/1946, 4; Board of Visitors, Feb. 9, 1946, p. 458; Board of Visitors, Feb. 9, 1952, p. 280)
It became a men's dorm in 1958 and a women's dorm again in 1967.(The Flat Hat, 3/4/1958, 1) It was renovated in 1974 when kitchens were installed on each floor and the rooms were rewired.(William and Mary News, 9/10/1974, 1) It currently serves as a student dormitory.
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Photographs
- 1928-29--P1979.091 and P1979.092 (white frame house shown in aerial photos. Later moved to 524 Prince George Street behind Sorority Court.
- P1981.009 and P1981.010--aerial photos (building moved to 524 Price George Street in May 1970, next to Braxton House behind Sorority Court)
References
- University Archives Buildings File (2007), Brown Hall, Earl Gregg Swem Library, The College of William and Mary.
External Links
- Brown Hall, Residence Life, College of William and Mary.
Need help?
To search for further material, see Finding Materials in the SCRC for an introduction to the SCRC Collections Database, card catalogs, Flat Hat-William & Mary News-Alumni Gazette index, etc.
Questions? Contact the SCRC at spcoll@wm.edu or 221-3090, or visit the Special Collections Research Center in the Earl Gregg Swem Library at the College of William and Mary (hours).
| A Note About The Contents Of This Wiki |
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| Unfortunately, many of the early original records of the College of William and Mary were destroyed by fire, military occupation, and the normal effects of time. The information available here is the best available from known documents and sources at the time it was written. Information in this wiki is not complete as new information continues to be uncovered in the SCRC's collections and elsewhere. Researchers are strongly encouraged to use the SCRC's access tools for their research as the information contained in this wiki is by no means comprehensive. |
