|
 In
the past century, no academic facility has contributed more to Willamette’s
physical and intellectual landscape than Eaton Hall.
Completed in 1909, Eaton has served the changing needs of the University
while providing a uniquely inviting space for the numerous administrative
and academic departments that have occupied its floors. Cherished
by alumni and current students alike, Eaton is more than a campus
landmark. It is a symbol of Willamette’s enduring commitment
to academic excellence.
While Eaton’s red brick walls and granite foundation remain
unchanged, its interior is undergoing a significant renovation to
take advantage of previously underutilized space. The renovation
will remodel Eaton’s fourth floor to create 7,500 square feet
of new faculty offices, modern classrooms and multi-purpose meeting
areas. The renovation promises to enhance Eaton’s teaching
and learning resources, providing for greater collaboration between
students and faculty.
A Historian Reflects
 Upon
hearing the plans for Eaton Hall, George McCowen, a history professor
at Willamette University for more than 30 years, was inspired to
share his feelings about the grand old building: “Eaton Hall
today is both the same and very different from the summer of 1967
when I moved into an office there. It will be even more different,
but still the same, with the addition of a fourth floor of modern
classrooms and offices. In 1967, the building, in its semblance
of Queen Anne architecture, presided like a dowager over the Willamette
campus. On the first floor were located offices of the president
of the University and the dean of the College of Liberal Arts, as
well as the Registrar’s Office, the business offices, the
campus mailboxes and the campus telephone switchboard. In the ’60s,
Eaton Hall was truly the hub of the campus.
“Inside the building, a broad flight of stairs led to the
second floor and a divided staircase continued to the third floor.
On these two floors were a rather odd configurations of classrooms
that were ill suited to the small classes to which the College of
Liberal Arts aspired. There were no telephones or furnished typewriters
in the offices. The furniture in the classrooms and offices was
composed mostly of miscellaneous oak pieces and old desks. The floors
were covered in a kind of thick, brown vinyl and were faithfully
polished by a crusty, loquacious custodian, who informed me that
the flooring was navy surplus of the sort that was used on battleships.
He said that is was indestructible and would last forever –
though I rather hoped it wouldn’t! In the classrooms there
were no writing desks designed for left-handed students and one
telephone on each of the two top floors served all the offices on
that floor. On either end of the third floor hall were two spacious,
but oddly shaped offices, and at the back of each office were stairs
that led to the attic, which at one time had been the location of
the art department.
“In spite of its outmoded qualities and various inconveniences,
the building had a spacious and inviting appearance with its high
ceilings and many large windows with vistas of beautiful green lawns
and the State Capitol.
“In the early ’80s when the building was renovated,
modern offices and classrooms were built, some of which were designed
for smaller classes. The halls, windows and high ceilings remained
giving the building an air of spaciousness and dignity. The atmosphere
in the building was now more subdued and studious.
The conversion of the attic space of Eaton Hall into a fourth
floor of classrooms and faculty offices with new technologies, will
happily complete the evolution of the building into a center of
the humanities in the College of Liberal Arts.”
Abel E. Eaton always believed that the best way to get something
done was by rolling up his sleeves and doing it himself. When the
successful Eastern Oregon pioneer agreed to help Willamette fund
the construction of a new academic building in 1907, Eaton not only
provided the money for the project, he oversaw its design and construction.
Though a cautious businessman, Eaton gave willing of his time and
fortune to help Willamette. While he did not live to see the completion
of Eaton Hall, it remains as a reminder that Eaton, like his building,
was a man of substance.
To support this crucial renovation effort, Willamette is offering
naming opportunities for each of Eaton’s new rooms and offices.
Naming opportunities are a unique way to commemorate someone special
while ensuring the future of one of Willamette’s most treasured
buildings. For more information about the Eaton Hall renovation
and naming opportunities, contact Ron Korvas, vice president for
University Relations, at 503-370-6397 or visit our Support
Website. |
