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Considering the Past: Topics in M.C. History

An ongoing research project

The Hut

“The Hut” was a landmark on campus from late 1941 to the winter of 1975-76. A cabin-like log structure, the Hut was a conceived of as a homey, casual place where students could gather for various meetings. Students, in conjunction with the alumni, had through various fund-raisers and donation ideas, raised capital to pay for their own building and its furnishings, independent of the college. Wanting it to be accessible to the student parlors in Johnson Hall, a place near the trees in “the Grove” was selected for the cabin’s location. Once the building was completed in late 1941, the Student Government Council took responsibility for its care and governance, proposing, and the student body accepting, a set of 10 rules that would keep the Hut safe, clean and available.

Very soon thereafter, the Hut became the location for innumerable club, class, and alumnae meetings, Bible studies, musical performances and singalongs, plays, campfires, “folk sessions,” bridge tournaments, conferences, fundraising auctions, holiday parties, invited speakers, “hospitality weekends” for prospective students,  forums, and receptions. It was promoted as a place where the students could relax with guests or dates. 

In the 1951-1952 Student Handbook, the Hut was described as "A typical log cabin, ideally located (and) is one of the prettiest sites on our campus. Two brand new fireplaces, ping-pong equipment, a brand new electric stove, refrigerator, and kitchen utensils are just a few of the niceties you and your friends and dates will find when you go there to cook a meal, play games, or enjoy a quiet evening by the fire. The Hut may be used for parties, dating, and various club meetings...." 

In A History of Meredith College (1956), Mary Lynch Johnson described the building’s interior:
"The large room is especially inviting when log fires blaze in the two big stone fireplaces. The sturdy, comfortable maple chairs and settees can be drawn about either fireplace so that a small group is not lost in a room large enough to accommodate a hundred. Two smaller rooms - one with a grill for picnic style cooking, the other with a stove, refrigerator, sink and kitchen utensils and dishes – facilitate the serving of refreshments and informal meals."

In the mid 1950s, the Hut also functioned as a student union – the distinction being that the building would have an open-house weekend schedule, although it was still available by reservation. By the late 1960s, the Hut was apparently rarely used: campus talk now turned to a coffeehouse conversion, where cultural activities could take place 2-3 times a week in the evenings. The interior decoration was modernized and made cozier and hipper, the “dismal” and “empty” Hut was now renamed the Meredith Coffeehouse – although the two names seem to be have been used interchangeably in the newspaper. 

But when plans for an addition to Jones Auditorium were announced in 1975, the Hut was in the way. While the idea was floated that the building would be moved, the expense was apparently considered too dear (estimated at $30,000) by the administration. Instead, the Hut/Coffeehouse was abruptly torn down during the winter holiday break (1975-76.) Having not been officially notified, students quoted for the Twig reacted negatively. The Hut was not replaced, probably because of the price, and by that time the Cate Center had been constructed (dedicated 1974) with open spaces intended for use by the students. However, now missing was the sense of student ownership that for more than thirty years had been engendered by the Hut among the trees on the corner of the campus.

The Hut

The cover of the November 1941 Acorn, the student literary magazine, featured a student on the steps of the about-to-be-opened Hut. Notices for meetings in the Hut started appearing in the Twig late that same month.

The cover of the November 1941 Acorn, the student literary magazine, featured a student  on the steps of the not-yet-opened Hut.

The exterior of the Hut. While not visible in aerial photographs of the campus, it was located near Jones Auditorium and Johnson Hall. 

The excitement of students having a space to themselves is part of a rising sophomore's article in The Twig in May 1942.

Part of an article in the Twig praising the Twig's furnishing, the excitement of grilling steaks and the promise of taking care of the building.

In order to keep their building clean and accessible, the students established these rules for its use. As specified in rule #10, the key to the building was kept by a student and had to be reserved in advance. 

A glimpse of the Hut on the edge of campus (1944.) This view is likely from the corner of Brewer Residence Hall and Johnson Hall.

A photo of a student on the patio of a building with the Hut in the background.

 

The Hut's fireplace was commonly used a setting for staged photographs for the Twig and the Oak Leaves (1947.)

A photograph of four students in front of the fireplace.

The Hut was used for gatherings and parties, including this one with children as special guests.

A Hut party with students and children.

A meeting during Religious Emphasis Week, 1949.

A male speaker addressed an audience of students.

1949. The Alumnae House was not built until 1953, so the Hut was a convenient meeting place for returning "old girls" (as they called themselves.)

A group of alumnae gather for refreshments around a table.

In 1949, the Hut was used as a homey setting for a production of Little Women. 

An unknown group prepares food. 

A line of students stand behind a table on which are piled boxes and food.

As a student-run property, the Hut was operated and maintained by the students (1950s.)

Two students clean the windows of the Hut.

The Hut was used by the young women as a comfortable place to bring dates.

Students and their dates gather around the Hut's fireplace.

1958. The Colton English Club holds a meeting in the Hut. 

Numerous students and instructors sociaize during a club meeting.

Banjos as entertainment. 

Four men playing banjos sit on a slight stage in the Hut.

A 1962 meeting of the Astros - one of two societies on campus. This may be a ceremony of some sort. 

Students in white blouses file though a seated gathering of Astros.

Sharing a casual meal. The student at left is wearing her Junior class jacket. 

Two students serve themselves from a table.

1969. The Hut was often the setting for student plays or performances.

A quartet of two men and two women sing. One woman anone man play guitars.

This hand-drawn campus map from 1972 shows the approximate location of the Hut. Aerial photos generally cut off this corner of campus. 

A 1972 hand-drawn map showing campus buildings - although the porportions are not quite right.

1973. English professor Dr. Ione Knight grills hot dogs in the kitchen. 

Dr. Knight leans over a grill cooking hot dogs.

In the early 1970s, the Hut was re-defined as a coffeehouse. 

students gather around a guitar player.

A 1975 photograph with Dr. Sandra Thomas on guitar entertaining the students. Dr. Thomas was the Vice President for Student Development, the first female Vice-President at Meredith College.