Twentieth Century

The first, and until 1901 the only, dormitory at Wheaton, the Boarding House was begun in 1836, “talked into existence” by Mary Lyon, encouraged by Eliza Baylies Wheaton. Until its construction, students boarded with the Wheaton families and with other… Read More »

Mrs. Wheaton gave the original lead statue and fountain of Hebe, the “cupbearer to the gods,” to the Seminary for its fiftieth anniversary in 1884. In the fall of 1932 Hebe was moved to the courtyard created by the new… Read More »

Grace F. Shepard was a member of the English Department from 1913 to 1940 and author of Reference History of Wheaton College (1931).

Agnes Riddell was a Professor of Romance Languages from 1922-1940. Miss Riddell was Acting Dean from 1923 to 1925, and Professor Emerita from 1940 until her death in 1950.

Edith M. White was a Professor of Economics from 1926 to 1930 and Dean of Freshman from 1929 to 1935.

The Reverend John Edgar Park (1879-1956) became president in 1926. Wheaton’s growth and vitality during Park’s presidency is particularly noteworthy: student enrollment increased steadily and the building program begun by President Cole continued. J. Edgar Park retired in 1944 at… Read More »

Built in 1931 entirely by college workmen under the direction of Mr. Cutler in cooperation with the Education and Psychology Departments, the Nursery School cost $10,400. The Nursery School was enlarged in 1937, when a one-way vision observation screen was… Read More »

Acquired in 1931, the house was remodeled into a two-family residence in 1932, using many fixtures and lumber taken from the demolished portion of Old Metcalf Hall. A porch was added in 1935. The barn was renovated into a practice,… Read More »

The Nursery School is founded by Professor of Psychology and Education Dr. Elizabeth Wheeler Amen.

Kilham Hall, designed by Cram and Ferguson, was built in the winter and spring of 1932 on the site of the west wing of Old Metcalf Hall. In 1933, when New Metcalf Hall was constructed, the two dormitories were connected… Read More »

A Flying Club is organized by Edna Fishman.

Containing a series of parlors, Hebe Parlors connected through arched doorways with Metcalf and Kilham Halls. The thirteen parlors, in which students could entertain their guests (especially men!), were named to commemorate dates and people important to Wheaton Seminary and… Read More »

Metcalf and Hebe opened in Febrary 1933, despite the deepening Great Depression. The continuing construction at Wheaton was possible because of Mrs. Wheaton’s bequest to the College. Part of Metcalf’s basement was used for a smoking room, and the dormitory… Read More »

Madeleine Clark Wallace was a member of the class of 1934. The Madeleine Clark Wallace Library was named in her honor on her 50th reunion in 1984.