page_title: History of Baldwin Wallace University
section_title: Founding and expansion
hierarchical_section_title: History of Baldwin Wallace University / Founding and expansion
caption_attribution_description: Lang Hall at Baldwin-Wallace College
context_page_description: The history of Baldwin Wallace University dates back to 1828, when co-founder John Baldwin settled in present-day Berea, Ohio. His founding eventually established Baldwin–Wallace College. This founding of present-day Baldwin Wallace University began when Baldwin Institute was established in 1845. With the help of James Wallace, Baldwin Institute began offering college courses. Eventually, in 1863, a resolution established a separate school from Baldwin University to serve the booming local German population called German Wallace College. Originally part of Baldwin Institute, German Wallace College was established just down the road. As a result of financial hardships the schools merged in 1913, forming Baldwin-Wallace College. In 2010, several buildings were added to the National Register of Historic Places combining the former Lyceum Village Square and German Wallace College to form the BW South Campus Historic District. In 2012, Baldwin-Wallace College became Baldwin Wallace University and established the BW North Campus Historic District.
context_section_description: Upon the school's foundation in 1913, Baldwin–Wallace College began to grow and expand. At this time Marting Hall, Dietsch Hall, and the Chapel made up German Wallace, which merged with Baldwin University to form the current campus.
  This merger was followed by the addition of some of the historic buildings that still exist today. In 1915, Wheeler Hall was opened on the north end of BW's Campus. In 1928, Lang Hall was built as a dormitory for women, remaining such until 2008. Lang Hall today is rumored to be haunted by the spirit of Emma Lang.
  During World War I, with BW having a German student base, the college sent a letter to Washington D.C. with the assurance that BW was an all-American school, the faculty offering their patriotic pledges. In response, on May 23, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson sent BW a letter of thanks.
  During World War II, Baldwin-Wallace was one of 131 colleges and universities nationally that took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program which offered students a path to a Navy commission. During this time the Navy added an expansion to the Women's gymnasium (called the Student Activity Center "SAC" today) in the area between the Strosacker Union and the SAC. This building housed a swimming pool and was torn down in 2002. Today the Circle of Warmth Firepit sits in its spot. As well, the remnants of the indoor swimming pool can be seen on the east side of the building, bricks having been left that form a curved shape on the SAC.
  In 1940, BW opened Burrell Memorial Observatory, and Ward hall named after Katherine Ward Burrell and Edward P. Burrell. The observatory houses a Warner & Swasey refracting telescope with a 13 3/8 inch objective, a 4 – inch finder, and a 1-inch finder.
caption: Lang Hall built in 1928
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