Middletown transcript., 1901-11-16
STATE AND MARYLAND NEWS
DELAWARE COLLEGE

| As the building operations at Delaware
College gradually approach completion,
the very marked improvement to result
becomes apparent. When the work is
done the old Dormitory, the original
College building, now nearly seventy
years standing, will have been converted
into handsome, substantial and con-
venient modern structure, without anv
sacrifice of the characteristics that origin
ally gave 1t simple dignity and charm.
The original building was a cruciform
structure that had for its distinguishing
feature dignifed approach in the form
OF broad fight of exterior steps leading |
to high pillared portico in the Doric |
style. The design has now been carried |
out and completed by the addition to |
each wing of three-story structures par
allel to the main building. Each of |
these additions is fronted with a pavilion
OF the same general style as the central |
portico, save that the outside steps are
omitted. The result is a building with
frontage OF nearly two hundred feet and |
depth in the main structure including
the approach, of nearly one hundred and
nifty feet, and an effect of three impres.
sive Doric porticoes The floor space is
thus increased by eight thousand square
feet. The building will contain besides
laboratories and recitation rooms. be-
tween thirty-fve and forty sleeping rooms
for students. The new portion Of the
structure will be occupied mainly by
laboratories, Offices, the halls of the Liter
ary Societies, and of the Young MEMS
Christian Association, and the quarters
of the resident professor and the matron
OF the Students Dining Club. The ground
floor OF the addition to the East Wing,
IN dimensions seventy-two by thirty feet,
will contain the Biological Laboratory,
occupying room twenty-eight by
twenty two feet, and two large class
rooms. On the second floor will be the
Photographic Laboratory with its dark
room, and two large class-rooms, and on
the third floor will be the quarters Of the
chronological Laboratory, and the rooms
OF the archaeological Laboratory of the /
State Board of Health.
The addition to the West Wing will !
contain on the ground floor comfortable
suites of apartments for the resident r
professor and the steward, the kitchen, !
and large lavatory for the students, !;
with bath tubs, shower-baths, basins,
and all other conveniences. This room =
will have a floor of cement. 1t will COM :
with large locker room on the :,
'econd floor. =
The Literary Societies and the Young I
Mems Christian Association will have :.
Ipartments, each twenty eight by twenty =
wo feet, and ten feet high, Jon the second :,
md third floors of this addition. The :
tairways of this part of the building !,
nd Of the East Wing viii be enclosed !,
n brick walls so that danger from fire :,
nay be averted. :,
The whole interior of tile old building
as been renovated. Floors have been
elaid, all the girders and floor joists
ave been replaced, walls and ceilings
ave been repIastered each sleeping 4,
partment has been provided with m
-ansom for better ventilation, and the es
'ood trimming has been renewed. h,
Perhaps the most striking improve r.
tent in the interior of the building is g.
lat made to the 0ratory and its ap- NJ
roach. The room, that used on COM -
encement occasions, used to be ap- be
reached through passage only eight
ct wide. This passage has now been e.,
idened to twelve feet, and decorated bo
18th wainscoting, ceiling beams of III
aster of Paris, Tuscan pilasters and ~
lndsome cornice. The main front door 80
Uniting to this passage has been lo,
dened, as has the door leading from -
e passage to the Oratory.
The Oratory has been decorated on
e same general plan as the foyer lead
g to it. At the intersection of the
aster of Paris ceiling beams have been M;
aced electric bulbs in such fashion as to an
.ht the room very agreeably and also to an
rm part Of the scheme of decoration. rol
le room, which is rather low for it's an
ngth of seventy eight feet and breadth f,
thirty-eight feet, will gain in apparent wa
light by the Tuscan pilasters running SAT
,m the wainscot to the cornice. The vii
lge will be fronted with a wide, fiat tbe
ch springing from Tuscan pilasters, i'm
d this arch will be fianked on each val
he by arched doorways. The wood ma
,rk of the room, including the pilasters, An
II be painted ivory white, and the wall ant
ace will be painted in some harmonious of
lor. The room when completed will
one of the handsomest assembly rooms
the State. The seats will probably be ]
chestra chairs. the
When the work of repairs is completed, De
ere will be formal opening of the cor
iIding to which the friends Of the of
llegc and the public officials of the ma,
ate will be invited, and eminent ses,
eakers will be asked to address this oar
lnion in celebration of an important nla
2ch in the life Of Delaware College. hor
jun