The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-07-13
pescription Of Memorial sam.


Description of Memorial Hall.
Memorial Hall is finished. After standing
mere shell, for fourteen gears, during which
time it has afforded the boys commodious
gymnasium it has at last been dedicated to
the uses for which it was intended. The his
tory of its erection, extending through a Pc
riod of sixteen years, is worthy of mention.
Bowdoin lost good many Of her sons in the
late war At tie commencement Of 1865 it
was deemed an appropriate act to commemo-
rate the death of these men in the shape Of
Memorial Hall The idea was received with
great enthusiasm and subscription paper was
quickly circulated among the alumni and
friends of the college which was generously
signed. About $4,000 was realized in this
way, and with this sum work was Immediately
begun on Memorial Hall. Prof. VIM Smyth.
was very active in starting this movement An
association of the alumni was formed which
obtained an act of incorporation from the
State legislature Nnder the name Of the Me-
mortal Hall Association OF Bowdoin Alumni.
The sum contributed By the alumni and
friends of the college was exhausted as soon as
the walls had been finished and covered. At
this point the work stopped. The de-
lay was believed to be but for a
short time, but it turned out that fourteen
years passed before work was resumed. Dur
ing this time the Memorial Hall Association
was not inactive. Various expedents were
devised to raise the requisite funds to COM
plete the hall. but all of them proved futile.
At last aid was received from generous and
warm hearted friend of the college. Mrs.
Stone of Maiden, Mass, had already contri-
buted $4,000 for the endowment of Stone
professorship. Aware Of the needs of the col
lege she made a further munifcent gift Of
SIS, 900 to complete Memorial Hall. AT the
commencement of 1881 the Memorial Hall As
socation transferred all its right, title and in
terest in Memorial Hall to the trustees OF
Bowdoin College and at the same time the
college assumed debt OF 5000 which the as
sociation had incurred. From this date the
college corporation undertook the work Of
completion, and to-day witnesses the end Of its
labors.
Memorial Hall is situated on the northern
portion OF the campus. midway be-
rween Massachusetts, Hall and the
Presidents house and in line
with the north end of Winthrop Hail. 1t IA
ces the whole stretch of campus lying in front
OF the three dormitories and the chapel. 1t is
built of dressed granite, and its dimensions are
102 by GA feet. A very striking feature in the
outside appearance of the building is that no
two sides are alike but yet each side is in har-
mony with the other9. The style of architec-
ture is Gothic. The main entrance is on the
front of the bnilding, and as one enters 1t gives
the impression of passing through broad and
high archway. On entering one finds himself
in q large, well lighted vestibule, which ex-
tends half the length Of the building, opening
directly into large hall, which occupies fully
one-half of the main floor. This hall is pro-
vided with stage on each side of which are
anterooms, the one on the left being intended
for the Presidents office. This room. which
will hold $50 persons, will be known as the
large Lecture Room, and will also be used for
oratorial exercises. The windows on three
sides afford abundance of light, making it well
adapted for this purpose. In the back of the
hall, and visible from the vestibule on entering
the building, are three beautiful stained glass
windows, the gift of ex-senator j. w. Bradbury
of Augusta. In the front half of the building
bordering the vestibule, and opening into that
and the main hall are two large recitation
rooms, while on the right and left of the en-
trance are cloak rooms. The decorations
throughout the first floor are low in tone. The
wainscotting is a light chocolate, while the
tints on walls and ceiling are old gold and
olive.
From the vestibule two flights of winding
stairs takes one to the second floor. This sec
tion of the building is entirely taken up with
large hall, 27 feet in height, which is the me-
mortal hall proper. Entrance is gained to this
Through three folding doors, while two flights
of stairs lead to the small gallery overhead.
This hall will favorably bear comparison with
any hall of its size in New England. The ar
chitects, decorators and builders have un-
doubtedly exerted themselves to the utmost to
make this pattern OF taste and elegance. 1t
is the verdict of all that they have succeeded
in their work. One notices, first, on entering
the great number of cathedral windows, which
mellow the light pouring in on every side, and
the harmony that exists between the mural
decorations and the black ash finishings The
color of the wood and the abundance of light
give the hall an appearance of airy
elegance. On the north side Of the hail. ap-
preached by two pairs of steps, is
an oral stage surrounded by three rows OF rails
ed seats arranged in concentric curves. On the
right and left of the stage are raised platforms
fenced in by brass railing, the corner posts
of which support large chandeliers. Beneath
the platform are two convenient anterooms.
The hall can comfortably seat over q thousand
people, and will be used for prize exhibitions,
concerts, &c. A row OF seats built against ths
wall extends entirely around the second floor.
A wainscotting of Q low toned red, eight feet
high, surrounds the hall, at the top of which is
a bronzed cornice. This is very elaborately Or
namented. From this cornice nearly to the cell
ing are stained glass windows in alternate
sections, which are marked off by massive
pilasters. On each plaster is a highly orna-
mented Gothic shaft reaching to the ceiling.
| Below the round windows which are placed at
| the head of each of the conical panels it is the
intention to place on brass tablets the names of
| Bowdoin's SONS who perished in the war for
| the Union. Above the windows and extend
| ing entirely around the hall is beautiful
| frieze with G athic ornamentation, and hav-
| ing the same tints as the wainscotting and the
| body of the hall. The effect to the eye is very
| pleasing. The ceiling, which is formed in
| panels by the girders and cross girders is a
| very peculiar and effective blue, each panel
| being bordered by lines OF deeper blue, India
| red and bronze.
| The approaches to the third floor are by two
winding staircases This floor ia as yet in an
unfinished state. The members of the build
| ing committee are undecided whether to con-
vert it into picture gallery or Museum of
| natural history. 1t is admirably adapted for
| either, as there are large skylghts in the roof
| of the hall. There is private entrance to the
| hall on the northeast corner, and also private
| staircsaes and entrances to each of the two
| lower floors. The building will be heated by
! furnaces ana lighted with gas. The chandeliers
| which are supplied to all portions of the build
| ing, are of brass and add greatly to its appear
| anee.
The original architect was Mr.. Baekus of
| New York whose work is shown in the ont.
side appearance of the building. The archi-
tects of the interior are Messrs. Bradlee &
| Winslow of Boston, whose work is a decided
| success Mr.. Brock of Portland, the
builder, performed his labor in a high
| ly creditable manner. The decorative
painting was done by Mr.. W. j. Mcpherson of
Boston, and the stucco work by Jones & Ward
of Portland, Shreve, Crump s. Low of Boston
furnished the chandeliers and brass work, and
the Highland Foundry company of Bosom the
| heating apparatus.
The building committee who have had
| charge of the completion of the hall are Pres-
dent Chamberlain, Galen G. Moses of Bath
Peleg w. Chandler, Boston, Cyrus Woodman,
Cambridge, Geo. e. B. jackson, Portland,
and others. They have shown great
discretion and forethought in their labors and
should receive the hearty thanks Of the
Alumni On President Chamberlain in par
ticnIar has the chief burden fallen. Being the
| only member of the committee residing in
Brunswick his duties have necessarily been
evere, but he has throughout exhibited his