Alumni Hall

Alumni Hall I (circa 1905-57) was conceived by Park College alumni to serve as a place for reunions, housing for visiting alumni, and a meeting place for various campus organizations. The plan was brought before the Park College Board of Trustees under the conditions that the college would pay for the initial construction cost of $10,000 (approximately $357,000 in 2024) and the alumni would pay back the college with interest. The Board was rightfully concerned about whether or not the alumni would be able to pay back the loan, but with the initial fund raising bringing in over $1,000 (approximately $35,700 in 2024), the Trustees felt their fears were relieved. The Alumni Hall was finished in 1905, and lived up to the proposal that it would be "the handsomest building on campus."

Alumni Hall I, after its construction, served as one of the dining areas on campus, its kitchen able to serve one hundred and fifty students. Along with its use as a meeting place and alumni housing, it also housed the Department of Home Economics and Department of Art for several years. The auditorium was used by the Alumni Association for meetings, by the literary societies, and the Department of Art for exhibitions, presentations, and plays. On May 6, 1957. Alumni Hall I became the victim of arson and was burned beyond repair resulting in the building being torn down. The only salvageable portion of the building were the arches which framed the southern patio, two of which now reside in the Mabee Underground in front of one of the University's exhibit spaces.

The cornerstone of Alumni Hall I was laid on June 25, 1902 which contained a box recovered during demolition. A list of items placed in the box included: a scarf in canary and wine colors, notice of the accomplishments of the Class of 1904 written by the Class Historian on June 25, 1902, photographs of freshman-sophomore debate teams of 1901 and 1902, photograph of the sophomore Class of 1902, list of names of the Class of 1904, blue and white ribbons, Chapel Hymnal of 1898, printing press furniture and leads from the Park College Press, the "Ode" composed and read by Robert A. Buchanan, Class of 1901, Lawrence Contest in Oratory between seniors and juniors dated June 24, 1902, one sheet of Ariosto Self-Toning paper, 1901 Narva (yearbook), Bible, Park College Academy program of 1902, Class roll of 1900, photograph of the Park College Academy third year, class list and photograph of the freshman class of 1905, red and white ribbon tied in bow, and blue and white ribbon tied in bow.

The new Alumni Hall was almost funded in a month with a good portion of the funds coming directly from the alumni, its construction took only a year and the reaction to the new building was mixed with many alumni aggravated that their "beautiful hall was to be replaced with a 'box." The new Alumni Hall housed the Drama, Home Economics, and Art Departments as well as the campus theater. 

Beck, Bill. Fides et labor: 140 years of pioneering education: the story of Park University. Virginia Beach, VA: The Donning Company Publishers, 2015.