Denny Hall (1905-present)

The second building in the College history to bear the Denny family name, Denny Memorial Hall was constructed to replace the first building of that name, which was destroyed by fire in March 1904. The cornerstone of the new building was laid on June 7, 1904, just three months after its predecessor had burned down. It was completed just one year later, being dedicated on June 6, 1905 in a ceremony which also celebrated the opening of Conway Hall. Architect Miller I. Kast designed the second Denny Hall, which cost $62,964.84 and was financed by an intense subscription campaign.

The hall, like its predecessor, included large meeting rooms for the College’s two literary societies, as well as classrooms and offices. The Lenore Allison Tower, a clock and bell tower which was a departure from the earlier building, recognized a $2500 gift of William Clare Allison towards the fund-raising campaign. The college bell was moved from the cupola of West College and placed in Allison Tower upon completion of the building.

Denny Memorial Hall was completely renovated and modernized in 1983-1984, at a cost of about $2.5 million.