Antioch College Historic District
Yellow Springs, Greene County – first year on list
Superlatives are required when talking about the importance of Antioch College, both as an educational institution and also as a cultural and physical presence in southwest Ohio. Its significance reaches far beyond its Neolithic burial site and its buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including those designed by eminent architects Eero Saarinen and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Antioch is nationally important as one of the final stops on the Underground Railroad, as a place where two presidents helped shape America’s future in education and environmentalism, and as the institution where Rebecca Pennell became the first woman full faculty member at an American college. Educator Horace Mann founded Antioch College in 1852 and, as the first institution of higher education to admit students equally regardless of gender or race, took a bold step in advancing literate democracy. Under President Arthur Morgan, founder of American environmental planning, Antioch College pioneered the cooperative education model on a post-secondary level, a model used widely in universities today, and nurtured leading environmentalists including Hugh Taylor Birch, John Bryan and James Lawson. Their vision in the 1,000 acre Glen Helen nature preserve and the spacious lawns fronting Antioch Hall influenced generations of civic-minded environmentalists. The campus is also home to the Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom, whose significance in 2009 cannot be overstated as the United States welcomes its first African American president.
The campus itself features several 19th century buildings, including original and early structures Antioch Hall, South Hall, North Hall, West Hall and the Rebecca Pennell House, complemented by outstanding early and mid 20th century buildings, including those designed by leading American architects. Deferred maintenance, however, has left the campus in disrepair and at risk of destruction. This threat is compounded by the recent suspension of College operations, which was done without completely weatherizing the valuable historic structures. The campus has been vacant since June 2008, with negligible security and without climate control. This threat became real destruction in late 2008/early 2009 when pipes burst in the attics of both Antioch Hall and South Hall. A remediation team was hired to dry the buildings, but the repairs now necessary have yet to be fully assessed.
Removing threats to the campus will begin with the hopeful transfer of the assets of Antioch College. Representatives of the Alumni Association are currently negotiating to assume ownership and reopen Antioch College as an independent residential liberal arts college under its own board of trustees. Since the closure announcement in June 2007, alumni have opened 40 new chapters, raised over $10 million in pledges and gifts, and hired a development team to accelerate fundraising. Refinement and implementation of preservation plans developed with the 2004 Getty College Heritage Grant will be key.
Simply put, Yellow Springs – Ohio – indeed America cannot afford to lose this institution or site. For its integral connection to the history of American education, as well as to the histories of the local Yellow Springs community and the State of Ohio, in recognition of the unique quality of its historic resources, and in fervent hope that the campus will see long-term reinvestment and renewal, Preservation Ohio is proud to include the Antioch College Historic District on this important list.
Preservation Ohio thanks the Antioch College Alumni Association for information included in this Press Release.
Videos: Please note that these videos are presented here for public interest only, and the opinions expressed therein are not necessarily the viewpoints of Preservation Ohio.
Links for Additional Information:
- Antioch College Alumni Association
- Council of Independent Colleges Historic Campus Architecture Project – Antioch College
- Antioch College – Wikipedia
- Complete List – 2009 Ohio’s Most Endangered Historic Sites
Additional Photos: click thumbnail for larger image
