Places

All rooms in Barton have their own quirk. Rooms on the same floor have different ceiling heights, some have private bathrooms, others are suspected to be haunted, and still others graciously host the social activities of the hall.

## Balcony

The Barton balcony hangs over the front of the hall and is one of the building’s most distinct features. Originally, the balcony was attached to the recreation room and had two doors for student access. After many years and renovations, the balcony is now only accessible through a 4th floor room belonging to the Resident Advisor (RA) of Tappan. Though they will remain unnamed, previous RAs have allowed residents temporarily onto the still-functioning balcony.

## Tappan Den

Whereas Anders traditionally claims the 2nd floor parlor as their communal den, Tappan house has their own den on Barton’s 4th floor. Features of the space include two nested window seats, two closets, and decorations left up from previous Tappanites. It is also one of the few places in Barton with an air conditioning unit.

## Dungeon

The dungeon is a storage space located just off of the basement kitchen and positioned beneath the back entrance stairs. Filled with cobwebs, miscellaneous boards, and a road sign, it creates a spooky atmosphere for anyone brave enough to face its near 20ft depth of bricked passage after a horror movie.

## Kitchen

Starting in 1928, Barton residence took up an active role in the cooking and cleaning of their dorm. As a “cooperative dorm,” students were put on rotations for meal prep and laundry, rather than having the cooks and servers other halls (such as Friley) possessed. Though this created more work for the students, it built community and drastically brought down the cost of living.

In the years since, the use of the kitchen has become more of an individual affair as students transitioned to eating at dining centers. However, Barton still maintained frequent use of the kitchen through events such as Friendsgiving and CHOAS/CHOAW.

Recent changes to the space include the removal (and subsequent replacement) of the oven, installation of toaster ovens, and the acquisition of a projector and screen for movie and game nights.

## Laundry Room

Located across from the kitchen, residents can currently wash or dry a load of laundry for $0.75, per machine. Like the cooking, Barton’s past status as a cooperative dorm used to include doing the students’ laundry.

## Parlor

The 2nd floor parlor is the hub of Barton activity. It is attached to the front entrance and features two east-facing floor-to-ceiling screen doors that allow the breeze to come through on hot days. Though the fire place has been bricked up, the mantle is decorated with various Anders memorabilia such as pictures of past RAs, a portrait of Clara Barton, the Nuggs, and Bruce the Urn.

Each side of the parlor has its own shelved alcove; one contains house-owned games, and the other holds scrapbooks and trophies. The parlor is Anders’ territory, and as such they have made continuous improvements over the years. These modifications include the addition of a full-sized whiteboard, the 75th anniversary picture of Barton Hall, a piano, an emergency stretcher, and, most recently, RGB light strips.

## Quad

*Main article: Quad*

Connected to the north side of the parlor, the quad is the only room in Barton to host four students (two as of Fall 2021). The room is actually two adjacent rooms joined by an open doorway, and it includes its own bathroom and bathtub. Residents of the quad are frequently seen in the parlor, as their rooms exit either in the hallway or directly into the parlor itself.

## Room 218

*Main article: Room 218*

Though not connected like the Quad, Room 218 sits directly next to the parlor. In the past, the room was used as a suite for Barton guests. Due to this, 218 is the only double room to include a private bathroom. Residents of this room also maintain a tradition of leaving behind objects for future tenants such as a plastic bird of prey, a Pokemon plush, and a caricatured wooden domino.

## Room 243

Starting in 2018 and taking a two year break from 2021-2022, every January 30, residents of Room 243 would mark their height, name, and the date on the door frame.