Ohio University History

This is the plaque on Cutler Hall

Manasseh Cutler, a graduate of Yale University, generally receives credit for the founding of Ohio University. The college was officially established on February 18, 1804 when the Ohio legislature approved the act (Ohio University).  

Sundial

In 1808, Ohio University built its first building, called the “Academy Building” (OUFatica) for five hundred dollars. The  “two-story, two-room brick structure … was the only building on the Green for nearly 10 years” (Athens COUNTY OHIO). Unfortunately, it has been noted that the Universities original documents were poorly kept. This is probably the main reason behind why so little information is available about the universities beginning. Though small, the “Academy Building” did house the universities first students. Graduating in 1815, Thomas Ewing and John Hunter became OU’s first graduates (Piccard, Ohio University, 2006). 

The “Academic Building” was torn down during some point in the 1800’s and in place now stands a sundial that is located between Galbreath Chapel and University Terrace (Piccard, Ohio University, 2006). The sundial is not obvious to spot but is easily recognizable when looking for it. Written across its side is a brief metal plated description of what stood many years ago.

 

Cutler Hall

Currently, the oldest building still standing on campus is Cutler Hall. Originally named the “College Edifice”, the building broke ground in 1816 (Piccard, Ohio University, 2011).  In 1881 the building was remodeled. In 1914, in memory of the universities founder, the building was renamed Cutler Hall (Piccard, Ohio University, 2011). In the same year the graduating class donated the clock that still sits at the top of the building today (Piccard, Ohio University, 2011). After being abandoned in 1936, in 1945 president Baker was advised to destroy the building.  Instead the president decided against this and restored it to its natural appearance (Piccard, Ohio University, 2011).

Over the years, Cutler Hall has been used for many things. After serving as a dormitory, classroom  building, laboratory, library and museum, Cutler is now being used for housing the president’s administrative offices (Libraries). Cutler has played a large role in the universities history and the building is now considered a national historical landmark. Next time you walk through College Green on Ohio Universities campus, make sure that you stop and look at all of the history around you.

Me in front of Cutler Hall

Works Cited

         Athens COUNTY OHIO. (n.d.). Retrieved May 27, 2012, from WELCOME TO OHIO UNIVERSITY!: http://www.athensohio.com/whattodo/visitors

         Libraries, O. U. (n.d.). Ohio University Libraries : University Archives. Retrieved May 27, 2012, from Cutler Hall being remodled to Victorian style, 1881-1882: http://media.library.ohiou.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/archives/id/827/rec/26

        Ohio University. (n.d.). Retrieved May 27, 2012, from OHIO HISTORY CENTRAL: http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/entry.php?rec=786

        OUFatica. (n.d.). Athens COUNTY OHIO. Retrieved May 27, 2012, from Ohio University: http://www.athensohio.com/whattodo/historic-sites-attractions/ohio-university

         Piccard, D. (2006, July 18). Ohio University. Retrieved May 27, 2012, from Sundial: http://www.ohio.edu/athens/bldgs/sundial.html

         Piccard, D. (2011, September 19). Ohio University. Retrieved May 27, 2012, from Cutler Hall: http://www.ohio.edu/athens/bldgs/cutler.html