East Lansing in Ingham County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Women's Building

Justin Morrill Hall

Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2017

1. Women's Building Marker - Left Panel

Inscription.
Left Panel In 1870, what was then called State Agricultural College admitted its first 10 women, offering them the same physically and academically demanding courses offered to men.

The Women's Building was completed on this site in 1900. Wood framed and faced with Lake Superior red sandstone, the neoclassical structure provided living quarters for 120 women, including staff. It featured a two-story gymnasium, a dining room, cooking and sewing laboratories, a woodworking shop, and music rooms.

The building supported a women's course of study, which was established in 1896. While retaining many of the classical and scientific elements of the standard curriculum, the "domestic economy" course replaced the agricultural focus with courses in both the domestic arts, such as cooking, sewing, and music, and the domestic sciences, including nutrition, sanitation, first aid and physiology.

Right Panel Over time, the number of women on campus approached that of men and, combined with the expansion of women's courses, diminished the building's unique purpose. When a new women's dormitory opened in 1937, the Women's Building was renovated to classroom, office, and laboratory space. Its name was changed to Justin Morrill Hall to honor the sponsor

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

of the federal act of 1862 that established the nation's land-grant college system.

The building would house a wide variety of academic departments in the ensuing years, providing students and faculty with fond memories of high ceilings, broad halls, handsome woodwork, and a home for their intellectual lives at Michigan State University.

Structural deterioration finally rendered the building unsuitable for occupation, and rehabilitation was determined to be prohibitively expensive. It was razed in 2013, and this marker commemorates its many years of service to the pioneers and scholars who lived and pursued knowledge under its roof.

Erected by Michigan State University.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 42° 43.995′ N, 84° 28.839′ W. Marker is in East Lansing, Michigan, in Ingham County. Marker is on West Circle Drive north of East Circle Drive. Marker is on the campus of Michigan State University, in Morrill Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 449 East Circle Drive, East Lansing MI 48824, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Nation's Pioneer Land-Grant University (a few steps from this marker); Harry J. Eustace Hall (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct

Women's Building Marker - Left Panel Image image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2017

2. Women's Building Marker - Left Panel Image

The Women's Building, circa 1907.

line); "That a Ladies Course be Organized" (about 400 feet away); Michigan State University (about 600 feet away); The Rededication of the Beaumont Tower Bells (about 600 feet away); Saints' Rest / Saints' Rest Excavation (about 700 feet away); Justin S. Morrill Hall of Agriculture (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sleepy Hollow (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in East Lansing.

Women's Building Marker - Right Panel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2017

3. Women's Building Marker - Right Panel

Women's Building Marker - Right Panel, Left Image image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2017

4. Women's Building Marker - Right Panel, Left Image

Studying physics in Women's Building laboratory.

Women's Building - Right Panel, Right Image image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2017

5. Women's Building - Right Panel, Right Image

Sewing was part of the domestic arts curriculum.

Women's Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Joel Seewald, July 19, 2017

6. Women's Building Marker

The two panels of this marker are on the left side.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 10, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 292 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on August 10, 2017, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.