History of Merritt Hall

Merritt Hall was built in 1879, partly from building stones salvaged from the old alumni hall, which had recently burned down. It was a gift of Julia Douglas Merritt, who later would generously donate funds to build Demarest Hall.
At the time, Merritt Hall was regarded as a work of expediency. "Modest" was a word often used to describe it and the campus newspaper reported in 1880, "The new building is not as tasty as the chapel." It contained classrooms and later housed the chemistry laboratories. The ventilator hood exhaust ducts are still visible near the roof on the west side. Merritt Hall also had the campus clock in its gable for years and on the eve of Hobart's centennial, students climbed up to the clock and made it strike 100 times.


The Department of Education
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Merritt Hall
Geneva, NY 14456
Phone (315) 781-3638
Fax (315) 781-3843