Considering the Past: Topics in M.C. History

“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. A article in the December 7, 1940 Twig advocating for the "Cabin" as it was then called, urged

...it is our duty to get behind it and push as we never have pushed before. It is universally understood that we want the Cabin since the feeling exists that the parlors are not as efficient as a cabin wold be with a nickolodian and a soda fountain to amuse the dates; consequently we realize that anything worth having is worth working for."

Students, in conjunction with the alumni, through various fund-raisers and donation ideas, raised capital to pay for their own building and its furnishings, independent of the college. The logs for its construction were donated. 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.