May Hall

1924

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 23, 2023

1. May Hall Marker

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From the National Register Nomination:
Named for the first president of the school, Samuel T. May, May Hall is a complex shape consisting of a massive (70' x 200') rectangular central portion, with an auditorium and classroom space placed perpendicularly to it, to form a T-shape. Squared wings are located at either end of the central rectangle. Overall dimensions are approximately 250' x 175'. A steeply pitched gabled roof is a prominent feature of the three-story center portion and contrasts with the flat roofs of the squared wings. The building, which has brick veneer over tile, faces southeast and overlooks the campus mall.
At the building's opening in 1923, classrooms filled the second floor, with more classrooms, a library, and study hall on the top floor. The basement then housed space for a cafeteria, dining room, and kitchen as well as the science department and related classrooms and laboratories. The nearly 1,200 seat auditorium had a 48' x 80' stage that doubled as the gymnasium, with locker rooms and showers below. The facility was considered very up-to-date, for each room contained an electric clock, signal system, thermostat, and telephone. As additional buildings were constructed on the campus, many of the functions were

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 23, 2023

2. May Hall Marker

The marker is mounted on the right side of the front/east entrance.

moved from May Hall, which continues to house classrooms, the auditorium, and administrative offices in their original locations.

The Dickinson State Normal School Campus District in Dickinson, North Dakota is a 16-acre historic district that has work dating to 1922. It includes Tudor Revival architecture. It has also been known as Dickinson State Teachers College, Dickinson State College, and Dickinson State University.

Three Collegiate Gothic campus buildings of similar scale and function are particularly handsome. Constructed of brick with stone details, stone quoins, and Tudor-arched entrances, they stand in a row below Sentinel Butte. May Hall, the largest of the three buildings, has projecting parapets at the gable ends, brick buttresses, and crenellated stone copings establishing the design precedent that was followed in the other Collegiate Gothic buildings

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 23, 2023

3. May Hall Entrance

Looking northwest from Campus Drive.

on the campus.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 23, 2023

4. May Hall

From the National Register Nomination: Stone detail is used effectively and provides the principal stylistic references to the Tudor Revival Style. Stone elements include quoins surrounds for groups of windows, the beveled water table, a course that also acts as a continuous sill for second story windows, a course above the top story windows, and coping. In addition to the quoins and courses, projecting parapets at gable ends, the steep roof pitch, brick buttresses for the auditorium, crenelated stone coping, and, above all, the centered brick and stone entrance are characteristic of this style.