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Moravian College • Preservation Master Plan
the farmstead are not currently known. Further, the
topography of the character area, a small hillock
about a tributary to Monocacy Creek suggests that
area retains a low potential for prehistoric (Native
American) archeological remains.
Signifi cance and Integrity Evaluation
Comenius forms the core of the historic North
Main Street Campus. Its imposing east façade with
its foreground of expansive lawn and framed by
large, historic trees, is the predominant image for
the campus. Its architecture is a unique and creative
interpretation of the Romanesque, incorporating
Moravian tiles and a variety of stone into an ornate
composition of arches and gables. With its fine
workmanship, evocative presence, and importance
in the history of Moravian College, Comenius is
inarguably the most significant of the North Main
Street Campus’ historic buildings. Additions such
as the stone gate piers at the Main Street entrance
only add to its historic character.
The exterior of Comenius Hall retains a high level
of integrity. The ornate exterior terra cotta, tile, and
stonework are well preserved. The original design,
setting, feeling, and association of the building
and its landscape are still perceptible. Features
associated with materials and workmanship that
detract from the historic character of the façade and
landscape, such as the overgrown shrubs, metal
pipe railings, and the damage to the entrance gate
piers are easily overcome.
Old Quad Character Area
The Old Quad character area is the rectangular space
created by Comenius Hall to the east; Memorial Hall
to the south; Monocacy, Zinzendorf, and Hamilton
Halls to the west, and W. Elizabeth Avenue to the
north (figure 5-90). It gains its character by this sense
of enclosure, the façades of the buildings, and the
shade trees within that provide a leafy ceiling for
the space.
Natural Systems and Features
The Old Quad character area does not include any
notable natural features.
Contributing features:
• None identified
Buildings
As described above, Comenius Hall was built of
stone in a Richardsonian Romanesque style in 1891.
Two years later, the Borhek Chapel was added to
the north end and in 1907 the Harvey Library was
added to the south end. When Comenius Hall was
constructed, the Hamilton House was already
in existence, having been built in the 1820s as a
residence for the farm that comprised the original
tract of the North Main Street Campus.
Zinzendorf Hall, a brick building with a hipped,
dormered roof and Dutch Colonial details, was
constructed next to Hamilton House as a refectory
and laundry for the college. Hamilton, Comenius,
and Zinzendorf were officially occupied by the
college in September 1892. A new gambrel-roofed
brick gymnasium, now known as Monocacy Hall,
was added in 1913, completing the west enclosure of
the Old Quad space. In 1923, the Memorial Science
Building, now Memorial Hall, was constructed in
Colonial Revival style, enclosing the south end of
the Old Quad.
For a more detailed building analysis and
discussion, refer to Chapter 8 of this report.
Contributing features:
• Comenius Hall
• Hamilton Hall
• Monocacy Hall
• Zinzendorf Hall
• Memorial Hall
John Milner Associates • October 2009 • Chapter 5 • Cultural Landscapes • 107