Morrill Hall (University of Maryland)

Morrill Hall is the oldest continuously-used academic building on the campus of the University of Maryland, College Park. Built in 1898 in the Second Empire architectural style for $24,000,^[2] it was the sole academic building left untouched by The Great Fire of 1912 which devastated almost all of campus. Originally known as Science Hall, the building was renamed for Senator Justin Morrill, father of the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act (from which the university received funds in 1864).^[3] Morrill Hall has housed numerous departments over the years, including the Zoology and Veterinary Science Departments. The three-story building currently houses a number of offices in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, including the Center for American Politics and Citizenship. Morrill Hall is currently being considered for addition to the Prince George's County historic landmark list.^[4] It most recently underwent a renovation in 2003.^[5]

Morrill Hall
Morrill Hall in February 2019
General information
Status	Oldest academic building on campus
Type	Academic
Architectural style	Second Empire
Location	Morrill Quad University of Maryland, College Park campus
Named for	Justin Morrill
Completed	1898
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Henry B. McDonnell[1]

Campus lore depicts the building as being haunted by ghosts of the American Civil War.^[6][7] In the years following its construction, Morrill Hall was noted for the view of the Washington Monument which could be seen from its cupola.^[8] The Senior Gift of the Class of 2009 lead to the establishment of an arboretum in the Morrill Quad.^[9]

References

1. Stephanie Stullich, Katharine D. Bryant "College Park", p. 24, Arcadia Publishing, 2005, ISBN 0-7385-4153-2.
2. "University of Maryland Timeline". Urhome.umd.edu. Archived from the original on 2010-06-28. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
3. "Morrill Hall Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. January 18, 2022. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
4. "Could the past change the Purple Line? - News - The Diamondback - University of Maryland". Diamondbackonline.com. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
5. "Universal Halls". Preservationnation.org. 2004-07-30. Retrieved 2012-07-31.
6. "14 Spooky Sites at UMD". Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland. 2014-10-28. Retrieved 2020-06-30.
7. Varhola, Michael J.; Varhola, Michael H. (2009). Ghosthunting Maryland. Cincinnati, Ohio: Clerisy Press. pp. 142–143. ISBN 978-1-57860-414-2.
8. "Architectural History of the Maryland Agricultural College". 2008-08-01. Retrieved 2010-06-22.
9. "University of Maryland, Newsletter to Students". Archived from the original on June 3, 2010. Retrieved June 13, 2010.