Moravian Preservation Master Plan.indb - Society for College and ...

Moravian College • Preservation Master Plan
Music was established within the Seminary, raising
the number of music instructors from five to
seven, and augmenting Bethlehem’s considerable
reputation as a center for music talent and
instruction (Bethlehem Book Committee 1976:266).
An early twentieth century college catalog described
the landscape of the Church Street campus in
glowing terms:
Figure 2-29. West Hall (Moravian College Archives).
Figure 2-30. New Chapel, now known as Peter Hall, at right and
South Hall at left (Moravian College Public Relations).
Figure 2-31. Gymnasium, completed in 1890, view ca. 1900
(Moravian College Archives).
Figure 2-32. Gymnasium interior, 1913 fencing class (Moravian
College Archives).
The six stately buildings (are) connected by
covered passages (and) are surrounded by
elms and terraced lawns.
Behind the buildings stretches the
campus. The Upper Campus is a large
open quadrangle on which face ivy-clad
buildings, with a group of stately elms
to the south. At one end of the well-kept
grass slopes is the Rose Garden. The
Lower Campus is a large expanse of level
lawn facing Main Street on the West and
extending to the tennis courts on the east.
On this plot are a large flagpole, a sundial,
and a fountain. The southeast portion of the
campus is known as the Sundial Garden,
well shaded and terraced around the
edges, but with an open space on the lower
level large enough for baseball, hockey and
soccer, and track events. Here the Spring
Festivals are held (Reker and Reid 1992:26)
Views of the early twentieth century show that
the Lower Campus grounds are still wooded but
considerably more open than previously, with an
elaborate gateway, round fountain, and flagpole
situated below the Gymnasium, on a site that
is now occupied by Foy Hall and a parking area
(figures 2-33, 2-34, and 2-35). Irregular winding paths
and scattered trees characterize the hillside in 1936
views, which show the immediate rear of the Single
Brethren’s House as much more open than before.
An even more important change occurred in May
1913, when the school formally obtained official
status as a women’s college. On May 19, the school’s
name was changed to Moravian Seminary and
College for Women. On May 28, the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania granted accreditation to the College,
meaning that its graduates were qualified to teach
in the state’s public schools. Enrollment rose almost
immediately; by 1914 the College Department had
60 students. Six degrees were awarded in 1914, and
the first full class of 21 graduated in 1915 (Reker
and Reid 1992:24; Yates 1976:266-267).
John Milner Associates • October 2009 • Chapter 2 • Historic Overview • 22