Montgomery Hall

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2024

1. Montgomery Hall Marker

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From the National Register Nomination prepared by Patricia B. Munson, 5/31/1990:
Montgomery Hall has social significance because of its role in what was happening at colleges all across the country at the time of its construction. More and more schools were accepting women as serious students and meeting the challenge

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2024

2. Montgomery Hall Marker

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

of housing them. Montgomery Hall was built in 1891 through the efforts of the Woman's Education Society (WES), an organization dedicated to "aid the young women in attendance upon Colorado College". Whereas most other buildings were built through the generosity of single benefactors, Montgomery Hall became a community endeavor through WES. The total cost of $15,000 was raised through bazaars, lectures and other events. Mary Slocum, wife of the college's president was the founder of WES and served as its president for many years. The hall is named for her sister, Elizabeth Robinson Montgomery, and was the third building on campus.

Montgomery Hall has architectural significance because of its design by the prominent local firm of Douglas and Hetherington. Indicative of the Scottish background of the architects, the building includes many elements popular in English architecture, including half-timbering, segmental arches and multi-paned windows. The design and construction are representative of the wealth associated with the Colorado Springs community (also known as Little London) in the late 1800's and early 1900's. Douglas and Hetherington were prominent architects in Colorado Springs, and their other works include the Burns Theatre, Cheyenne Mountain Country Club, the Spencer Penrose Riding Academy and many of the elegant mansions along Wood and North Cascade Avenues.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2024

3. Montgomery Hall (northeast elevation)

Excerpt:  To support campus development, give "physical, intellectual, and spiritual aid" to female students pursuing higher education, and generate goodwill between the town and college, more than 100 local women gathered in Cutler Hall on 20 April 1889 to establish the Woman's Education Society (WES). Completion of a women's residence was the first of numerous campus improvement projects undertaken by the group. The WES hired Scottish immigrant Walter F. Douglas, who operated one of the principal architectural firms in Colorado Springs, to design the new "cottage" and emphasized that it desired a dormitory with a home-like atmosphere. Montgomery Hall, designed as the WES desired to resemble a stately residence, featured walls constructed of Castle Rock rhyolite, a welcoming porch, large windows, and multiple dormers. The home atmosphere continued on the interior with a large foyer, spacious drawing room with open tile fireplace, substantial dining room, kitchen and pantries, housekeeper's quarters, and a sunny room next to the housekeeper's to be used for those who became ill. The upper two floors contained double and single

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 17, 2024

4. Montgomery Hall (east/front elevation)

From the National Register Nomination:  Montgomery Hall was built with a distinctive English feel, making use of such architectural elements as half-timbering in combination with rough stone facade. The long slender windows and the steep-pitched roof contribute to this influence as well. The function as a residence hall is apparent by numerous identical third floor dormers and consistent fenestration on each floor. The attic floor is half-timbered, the first and second floors are rough faced stone. Classical features include the tall windows on the first floor, segmental arches on symmetrical facade, symmetrical plan, rectangular massing and a Georgian-like steep-pitched roof penetrated by gabled dormers.

rooms, bathrooms, and closets. The WES secured furnishings for the hall, with several people providing furniture for individual rooms in memory of loved ones. The college dedicated Montgomery Hall with a housewarming on 13 June 1891.The WES presented the building and its furnishings to the college debt-free.