Ivy Hall
The first major building built on the campus was the Administration Building known as the Founders Hall or Activity
Hall. Seventy-five students pulled a plow to start
the foundation of the building. This event was remembered and memorialized 20 years later during the ground breaking
ceremonies for Pfeiffer Hall. It was further documented in a simulated stain glass window that was designed by an
artist and created by students. This window was placed and displayed in the President's Office in Pfeiffer Hall.
The bell atop Ivy Hall was from a small mission school, Summertown
Seminary, conducted by the Methodist Episcopal Church in Summertown, Tennessee. That school was closed prior to
Baxter Seminary being organized.
The corner stone for Founders Hall was laid in 1911 and it was completed and dedicated in 1914, the year of the first
graduating class. It housed the President's office and living quarters, class rooms, a few dorm rooms, the dining
hall, and an activity area. As more buildings were constructed to provide class room space for the growing enrollment
and as new quarters were built for Dr. and Mrs. Upperman, Founders Hall was renovated and became the girls dormitory,
dining hall, and social hall. It was renamed Ivy Hall.
The 1922 seminary catalog described the future Ivy Hall as: "A large, modern school building has been erected, located
on the highest point on the campus. It is poured concrete of hollow construction, laid off in "v" shaped joints.
This insures a building that will be warm and dry, and practically fireproof, as it is steam heated throughout. The
building has a 96 foot front, and an extreme depth of 75 feet. It is two full stories in height with an eight foot
basement under it all, most of the way above the ground.
"On the first floor are located the dining department, home economics room, agricultural laboratory, science laboratory,
commercial department, and large tool and equipment room. On the second floor are located the living rooms for the
President and his family, the Seminary office, a large chapel, a library room, three class rooms, and a reception room.
The entire upper story, except the music room, is given up to dormitory purposes, and will take care of 40 girls.
Rooms are steam-heated and electric lighted, and furnished with bedsteads, springs and mattresses, dresser, wash stand,
study table and chairs.
Photo, Ivy Hall: Baxter Seminary Highlander - Baxter Seminary Yearbooks 1934-1960 by Mike and Audrey Lambert www.ajlambert.com
Photo, Ivy Hall Plaque: (May 9, 2019) Herald-Citizen.com
Campus Halls
Ivy Hall
Patten Hall
President's Home
Pfeiffer Hall
Lowe Hall
Gym
Friends Gym
Ward Hall
Health House
Merner Hall