Dublin Core
Title
University of North Alabama, President's Home
Subject
Education; WPA; Great Depression; University of North Alabama; Lauderdale County, Alabama; Florence, Alabama
Description
The President’s Home is located on the University of North Alabama campus. Ground was broken for this building in August 1939 when the university was under the name Florence State Teachers College. The Works Progress Administration completed the building in 1940. The original location was on Seminary Street and Morrison Street, facing Seminary. The home, a two-story brick building, was meant to correspond and compliment the surrounding campus architecture. In Shoals Magazine the interior of the house is described: “The front door enters into a central hall with a high ceiling, hardwood floors and a staircase with a U-shaped landing leading to the more private rooms. Branching from the hall are the dining room on the left and living room on the right-one complimenting the other […]” (Allen). The original pastel paint used for the walls was mixed by Mrs. Keller, the wife of President J.A. Keller. The university president, President J. A. Keller, stated that ‘it will be modest, but modern”. Though the internal décor has been changed and modified throughout the years that same concept has been kept.
Once the building was complete, the university president and his family occupied the residence. This tradition has been continued by most university presidents since. The President’s Home has also gained a great deal of attention throughout its many years of being a gracious host to many social functions. The first great event held by the house was in May 1940, as documented in a news paper article. It stated that the home was opened to the graduating sophomores and faculty of Florence State Teachers College. This Sophomore Tea lead the way for all the many parties and social gathering the house holds today.
Once the building was complete, the university president and his family occupied the residence. This tradition has been continued by most university presidents since. The President’s Home has also gained a great deal of attention throughout its many years of being a gracious host to many social functions. The first great event held by the house was in May 1940, as documented in a news paper article. It stated that the home was opened to the graduating sophomores and faculty of Florence State Teachers College. This Sophomore Tea lead the way for all the many parties and social gathering the house holds today.
Creator
Katherine Rickard, University of North Alabama
Source
Allen, Sherhonda, "Stately Oasis of Color," Archives and Special Collections, Collier Library, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
"Handsome New President’s Home at STC Thrown Open to Faculty and Students", Flor-Ala, Archives and Special Collections, Collier Library, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
New Building at STC Ready for Fall Term, Flor-Ala, Archives and Special Collections, Collier Library, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
"Presidents’ Home Open to Students, Faculty, Campus Social Events", Archives and Special Collection, Collier Library, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
Shoals Magazine 2006, Archives/Special Collection, Collier Library, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
"Handsome New President’s Home at STC Thrown Open to Faculty and Students", Flor-Ala, Archives and Special Collections, Collier Library, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
New Building at STC Ready for Fall Term, Flor-Ala, Archives and Special Collections, Collier Library, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
"Presidents’ Home Open to Students, Faculty, Campus Social Events", Archives and Special Collection, Collier Library, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
Shoals Magazine 2006, Archives/Special Collection, Collier Library, University of North Alabama, Florence, Alabama
Publisher
Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
Date
December 4, 2015