Tusculum College - Buildings and Facilities

Buildings and Facilities

An asterisk (*) denotes a listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

• The Arch.* Constructed in 1917 at Tusculum College’s traditional entrance by J.T. Ponder, one of Tennessee’s foremost rock masons, using stone from the college’s own quarry. The Girl’s Glee Clubs of 1914–15 and 1915–16 donated money for the project. The arch has come to symbolize Tusculum College, and except for Old College, the Doak House, and the Shulman Center, the form is present in the architecture of every building on campus. Vicinity 36°10′30.0″N 82°45′39.1″W / 36.175°N 82.760861°W / 36.175; -82.760861 (The Arch).
• Byrd Fine Arts Center. Built in 1965 and named for Annie Hogan Byrd, this building also serves as the college chapel. Vicinity 36°10′28.5″N 82°45′32.2″W / 36.174583°N 82.758944°W / 36.174583; -82.758944 (Byrd Fine Arts Center).
• Charles Oliver Gray Complex. Built in 1969, the “COG” was named to honor Dr. Gray, Tusculum's president from 1907 to 1931. Renovated in 2000, it consists of three dormitory units and a classroom/office building. Each three-story dorm houses 35 students. Vicinity 36°10′21.4″N 82°45′42.7″W / 36.172611°N 82.761861°W / 36.172611; -82.761861 (Charles Oliver Gray Complex).
• Doak House Museum.* The Rev. Samuel Witherspoon Doak built his Georgian-influenced house circa 1830. A few years after the home’s construction, its original balance and proportions were altered with the addition of an ell off the right side of the house. Samuel W. Doak and his father, the Rev. Samuel Doak, started Tusculum Academy in 1818. The Tusculum Academy building was constructed later that year. Tusculum Academy moved up the hill in 1841 to what is now “Old College.” Tusculum Academy became Tusculum College in 1844. The existing Academy building is a replica of the original Academy. Vicinity 36°10′28.0″N 82°45′53.2″W / 36.17444°N 82.764778°W / 36.17444; -82.764778 (Doak House Museum).
• Garland Library.* Built in 1910, it was originally named "Carnegie Hall" for benefactor Andrew Carnegie to house the library and gymnasium. After the gymnasium was built in 1930, it was renamed the "Carnegie Library." In 1991, it was renamed in honor of Albert Columbus Tate, the 1894 Centennial class valedictorian. After extensive renovation and expansion, it was renamed on May 19, 2008 to honor former Tennessee senator Thomas J. Garland. Vicinity 36°10′27.9″N 82°45′41.5″W / 36.174417°N 82.761528°W / 36.174417; -82.761528 (Tate Library)).
• Haynes Hall.* Built in 1914 through the continued generosity of Mrs. Nettie Fowler McCormick, this building was named in honor of former Tusculum mathematics professor Landon Carter “Daddy” Haynes, who taught at the college for 65 years. This Colonial Revival building is similar to Rankin Hall in appearance, with many of the same architectural elements. Today, Haynes Hall serves as a men’s residence hall. Vicinity 36°10′24.2″N 82°45′37.1″W / 36.173389°N 82.760306°W / 36.173389; -82.760306 (Haynes Hall).
• Katherine Hall. Built in 1962; renovated in 1999. The largest of six dormitories on campus, this three-story dormitory, named for Katherine Rankin, houses 140 students. Vicinity 36°10′24.6″N 82°45′31.5″W / 36.1735°N 82.75875°W / 36.1735; -82.75875 (Katherine Hall).
• Mastrapasqua Hall, et al. Built in 2002, these four three-story apartment-style dormitories each house 48 students. Called “The Apartments” collectively, unit “A” was renamed Mastrapasqua Hall in 2003 in honor of trustee Frank Mastrapasqua. The remaining three units simply remain Apartments “B,” “C,” and “D.” Vicinity 36°10′20.1″N 82°45′47.2″W / 36.17225°N 82.763111°W / 36.17225; -82.763111 (Mastrapasqua Hall).
• McCormick Hall.* Named after Cyrus McCormick, the inventor of the mechanical reaper, this building was constructed in 1887 using funds donated by Mrs. Nettie Fowler McCormick, Mr. McCormick’s widow. Many architectural features of the Romanesque period can be seen in this building, including arches, a bell tower, and hipped roof. McCormick Hall now houses Tusculum’s administrative offices and Tusculum’s historic bell, which once rang proudly aboard the U.S.S. Wyalusing, a Civil War fighting vessel, and continues to ring just as proudly to this day. Vicinity 36°10′26.5″N 82°45′38.9″W / 36.174028°N 82.760806°W / 36.174028; -82.760806 (McCormick Hall).
• Nichols Tennis Complex. Built in 1992 and named to honor Roger M. Nichols. Vicinity 36°10′19.8″N 82°45′33.4″W / 36.172167°N 82.759278°W / 36.172167; -82.759278 (Nichols Tennis Complex).
• Niswonger Commons. Built in 1999 and named for trustee and benefactor Scott M. Niswonger, this structure replaced the Simerly Union Building, which was erected in 1970. The new facility houses a full-service post office; a cafeteria, operated by Sodexho; the bookstore; the Pioneer Perk student coffeehouse; the student radio station, WTPL (610 AM); the student TV studio, WTCV; a 24-hour computer laboratory; the campus safety office; classrooms; and various offices for faculty and staff. Additionally, the Commons features a gymnasium-swimming pool complex that incorporates the 2,000-seat Alpine Arena and a weight room/fitness center. Vicinity 36°10′20.4″N 82°45′38.0″W / 36.172333°N 82.76056°W / 36.172333; -82.76056 (Niswonger Commons).
• President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library.* Completed in 1841 to accommodate growth in student enrollment and known affectionately as “Old College,” this was the first building built on Tusculum’s campus. Andrew Johnson, the nation’s 17th President, donated $20 towards its construction. Johnson practiced debating here early in his career and later served as a trustee of the college. Major renovations in 1993 restored the museum and library to its original appearance. Today, it houses the collection of President Johnson’s private and family papers and family artifacts. The museum and library also holds the Charles C. Coffin Rare Book Collection, the original College library, the College’s Archives, and features rotating exhibits. Some recent exhibits have included 19th-century furniture handcrafted in East Tennessee, portraits of George Washington, and architecture features of the historic buildings on campus. The building also serves as home to the Museum Studies Program. Vicinity 36°10′24.9″N 82°45′45.3″W / 36.173583°N 82.762583°W / 36.173583; -82.762583 (President Andrew Johnson Museum and Library).
• President's House. Built in 1909 across the street from the campus. Vicinity 36°10′33.6″N 82°45′34.4″W / 36.176°N 82.759556°W / 36.176; -82.759556 (President's House).
• Rankin Hall.* Built in 1923, this was the last building constructed using funds donated by Mrs. McCormick. It was originally named Gordon Hall after Mrs. McCormick’s grandson, but was rededicated in the 1950s at the request of Cyrus McCormick II and renamed in honor of senior professor Thomas S. Rankin. This Colonial Revival structure has many elements of Georgian architecture, including third-story dormers, arched pediments over the windows, and dentil molding. Built as a men’s dormitory, today Rankin houses the Athletic Department, the Center for Civic Advancement, and classrooms. Vicinity 36°10′22.2″N 82°45′40.7″W / 36.172833°N 82.761306°W / 36.172833; -82.761306 (Rankin Hall).
• Shulman Center. Built in 1971 and named to honor Herbert L. Shulman. Constructed in an attractive circular design, the center primarily functions as studios and offices for the Art and Design program. Vicinity 36°10′27.0″N 82°45′21.1″W / 36.17417°N 82.755861°W / 36.17417; -82.755861 (Shulman Center).
• Tredway Hall.* Constructed in 1930, this is the only Tusculum building to be used continually for the same purpose since its inception. Originally known as the Science Building, it was renamed in 1989 in honor of William L. Tredway, an alumnus and benefactor of the college. This Neoclassical building’s entryway is an eclectic mix of architectural styles, with large Greek Revival columns and pointed Gothic Revival arched windows integrated into an Adamesque fanlight. Vicinity 36°10′28.4″N 82°45′45.7″W / 36.174556°N 82.762694°W / 36.174556; -82.762694 (Tredway Hall).
• Virginia Hall.* Designed by renowned Chicago architect Louis Sullivan, Virginia Hall was completed in 1901. The heavy, massive feel of the building is typical of Sullivan’s work. It was Tusculum’s first modern building, with baths, furnace heat, and fire escapes. Virginia Hall was named in honor of Mrs. McCormick’s daughter Virginia, who died at an early age. Today, it houses administrative and faculty offices and classrooms. Vicinity 36°10′28.0″N 82°45′36.1″W / 36.17444°N 82.760028°W / 36.17444; -82.760028 (Virginia Hall).
• Welty-Craig Hall.* Originally known as Craig Hall, this building was completed in 1892 and served as a men’s dormitory. It was named for the Rev. William G. Craig, D.D., Mrs. McCormick’s pastor. It was through the Rev. Craig that Mrs. McCormick was introduced to Tusculum College. In 1998, the building was renamed Welty-Craig Hall in honor of Stanley R. Welty, ‘51, a Board of Trustees Chair and benefactor of Tusculum College. This dormitory houses 40 students. Vicinity 36°10′24.2″N 82°45′41.0″W / 36.173389°N 82.76139°W / 36.173389; -82.76139 (Welty-Craig Hall).