Jump to content

Harrison Hall (Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College)

Coordinates: 30°46′55″N 89°08′34″W / 30.781931°N 89.142771°W / 30.781931; -89.142771
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Harrison Hall (Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College)
Harrison Hall, January 2014
LocationMississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Perkinston, Mississippi
Coordinates30°46′55″N 89°08′34″W / 30.781931°N 89.142771°W / 30.781931; -89.142771
Built1936-37
Restored1974, 2018
Restored byEley Guild Hardy Architects (2018)[1]
ArchitectSmith, Vinson B., Jr. (1936)[2]
Governing body
Mississippi
Official nameHarrison Hall[3]
DesignatedOctober 9, 2003
Reference no.131-PRK-0106-ML[4]
Harrison Hall (Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College) is located in Mississippi
Harrison Hall (Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College)
Location of Harrison Hall (Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College) in Mississippi

Harrison Hall is a former student dormitory located on the campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Perkinston, Mississippi. It was constructed in 1936–37, and was designated a Mississippi Landmark in 2003. Following renovation in 2018, the building was repurposed to house administrative offices.[5]

History

[edit]

Harrison Hall was designed by Gulfport architect Vinson Smith and was constructed in 1936-37 by building contractor Newton and Schmoll of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.[6] The two-story building was renovated in 1974, and air conditioning was incorporated into the design.[7]

From 1937 to 1983, Harrison Hall served as a dormitory for female students.[8] In 1983, the building became a men's residence hall.[8]

Following approval of remodeling plans by the Mississippi Department of Archives and History to insure historical integrity, renovation of the 81-year-old building was completed in 2018. After a dedication ceremony on April 18, 2018, Harrison Hall became the District Office Headquarters for Gulf Coast Community College.[5]

Weddings

[edit]
Main entrance to Harrison Hall

During the 46 years that Harrison Hall functioned as a women's residence hall, the lobby was often the focal point of "manless weddings".[9] These were major social events on campus and were elaborate affairs, usually sponsored by student organizations, such as the YWCA.[9] The "weddings" were attended by faculty, students, and out-of-town guests.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ McAdams, Kathy. "MGCCC holds ribbon cutting for historic Harrison Hall". stonecountyenterprise.com. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  2. ^ Architect Vinson B. Smith, Jr. Retrieved 2014-01-25
  3. ^ Mississippi Department of Archives and History Historic Resources Inventory Fact Sheet—Harrison Hall Retrieved 2014-01-31
  4. ^ "Mississippi Landmarks—Stone County". Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Retrieved 2014-01-31.
  5. ^ a b Johnson, Annie (April 18, 2018). "Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College holds ribbon-cutting ceremony for Harrison Hall". wlox.com. Retrieved 2018-05-17.
  6. ^ Newton & Schmoll, Builder/Contractor Retrieved 2014-01-31
  7. ^ Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Catalog (2013-14) Retrieved 2014-01-31
  8. ^ a b Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College—Action Alumni News (Spring 2010) Archived 2012-06-17 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2014-01-31
  9. ^ a b Sullivan, Charles. 2002. Archival Odyssey No. 7—Manless Weddings and Womanless Weddings, pg 6, In: In Touch with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Archived 2012-06-17 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2014-01-30