The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1904-07-18
A UNIQUE DORMITORY
BUILT FOR RADCLIFFE
nEHfHAM HALL REPRESENTA-
CONTAINING COMFORTS A MANS CLUB
HoUsE-oNE OF A PROPOSED "HALLs OF RESI-

Cambridge. Mass, July 16. 1904
In the community of dormitories, ST.
lent now but from fall to summer hous-
ing SO important a part of the popula-
ton of Cambridge, stands one build
ing the like Of which is nowhere else
to be found This Is Bertram Hall, the
first of the halls of residence" of
Radcliffe College. That 1t is unlike
the dormitory buildings of other wo-
mems colleges Is, perhaps, because 1t
forms part of what seems, in some
ways, the most striking educational I'M
dertaking In the world.
Bertram Hall Is the latest express
sion of women's university life, If such
a phrase may be used. Just as Rad
cliffe has grown in less than a quarter
of century to its present position
of prominence from the tentative and
none-too encouraging beginnings of the
Society for the Collegiate instruction
of Women, which was formed to secure
for women exactly the facilities Har-
ward offers to men, SO the education
1t offers has broadened from the mere
departments of book leaHning through
the creation of a university spirit and
a university manner of life such as
have never until now been thought pos
sible except among men. Full right
to exercise choice in studies has been
followed by the greatest personal lib
erty in domestic and social life, and
Bertram Hall. built to meet the pecul-
lar requirements of such conditions,
combines with the salient features of
the best kind of American home those
of the college commons" together
with a nearer approach to the comforts
and privileges of mans club house
than women have Drpvi,uSlv eniOved
anywhere.
Twenty-Five students can be accomo-
dated in Bertram Hail. the number
was limited purposely in making the
plans. The Radcliffe authorities wish
most of all that their residence quar-
tiers shall never approach big institu-
tional dormitories, which, they feel.
tend to destroy the home features that
are of more Importance to women stu
dents than to men. A great library
at one end of the main hall on the first
floor. and an even larger dining room
at the other end, give chance for that
independence of surroundings of which
every healthy individual feels the need
at times.
The style of architecture selected for
the group of which Bertram is the
first member to be completed is purest
Colonial utilizing ancient brick with
white marble trimmings. Within, the
simple, graceful style of $50 years ago
is closely followed in tho long wide
halls, with generous windows and door
ways. the low, sweeping staircase. the
deep panelling of dark wood and the
minor decorations and furnishings.
Open fireplaces with broad hearths and
high mantels are in every study,
though the building is heated through
out by a hot-water system, and even
the electrical fixtures take the form of
candelabra or old-fashioned lanterns.
Two floors above the first. where in
addition to the big public rooms are
found the office and private department
of the resident mistress, have been
given over to the students. In addi-
ton to seven single rooms there are
nine suites, consisting of a study with
two bedrooms opening out to 1t. Four
of these suites are so arranged that the
study and one bed room may be let
together On the second floor there
is a little lounging room at the dis
posal of all the girls of the house All
the floors are of hard wood and GER
tain necessary furniture, in mission
and Colonial pieces, goes with each
apartment.
When the seven other halls which
according to the plans are to be set
out about the splendid sweep of roll
ing lawn at the head of which Bert
ram stands have been constructed. they
will be of the same general type as
this first one. Each will have its lit
tie family of not more than 80 or 40,
each its resident mistress who is not
only the household manager but friend
adviser and companion to everyone OF
the girls in the building, each will ne
cessarly preserve a certain individual
ity. just as do the dormitories of the
great university half mile away, yet
all will form one big student commu-
nifty where personal tastes have full
play, where associations are not forced.
where there is no restraint other than
such as the individual members are
accustomed to in their own homes,
without iron-clad rules Or regulations
or restrictions.
Bertram Hall was given to Radcliffe
by Mrs. David p. Kimball of Boston,
who named is as a memorial to her
young son. 1t was opened in Novem-
Der. 1901, and from then until now
there has always been a waiting list
of students seeking opportunity to Sc
cure any room that might be vacated
during the college year, The great
field which lies before it-sincs the