Lycoming College - Lycoming College Campus - Past and Present

A view of Hilltop Gymnasium and the Barn, looking northeast.

Front view of John W. Long Library (now Long Administration Building). The library was built in 1950-51, and named in honor of John W. Long, president of Williamsport Dickinson Seminary and its successors, Williamsport Dickinson Seminary and Junior College and Lycoming College, from 1921-1955. The clock face was installed in the tower in 1959 as a gift from the graduating class. . The building was home to the library until 1968, when the Academic Center was constructed. It now houses administrative offices.

View from above of Long Administration Building, possibly photographed from a window in Rich Hall, or the Fine Arts Center.

View, looking upward, of the entryway and clock tower of John W. Long Hall, now the Long Administration Building. Long Hall was built in 1950-51, and named in honor of John W. Long, president of Williamsport Dickinson Seminary, Williamsport Dickinson Seminary and Junior College, and then Lycoming College, from 1921-1955. The clock face was installed in the tower in 1959. The building was home to the library until 1968, when the Academic Center was constructed. It was converted to administrative offices. This photo is on the title page of the Arrow, vol. 40, 1988.

The Lycoming College Choir, standing on the concrete stairway in front of the columned entryway of the John W. Long Library, performs during the dedication ceremony. The library was dedicated Saturday, October 20, 1951. Parts of an article from the November, 1951 Lycoming Bulletin follow: 'Shortly before 11:00 o'clock the academic procession consisting of representatives of student and alumni associations, secondary schools, colleges and universities, educational and learned associations, trustees of the college, faculty, senior students, Bishop of the Methodist Church, the president of the college and speakers, marched from the gymnasium to the scene of the dedication in front of the new library while members of the a cappella choir moved from the interior of the library to form a colorful background of gold and blue at the top landing prior to opening the service by singing 'O Magnify the Lord With Me,' led by Mr. Walter G. McIver … Robert F. Rich, president of the Board of Directors, presided over the program and introduced the principal speaker, Dr. Fred G. Holloway, president of Drew University … [a sentence from Dr. Holloway's address]: 'The very fact that you are naming this library in honor of the president of this college, John W. Long, I should like to say that you are by that very fact also perpetuating a great personality who, in a sense, becomes enshrined in this building and his personality will be felt all through the years because of what he is and what he has been and this is a fitting tribute in recognition of that fact.'

A view of the Old Fine Arts Building looking west from the stairs ascending from the Quad. The Fine Arts Center, consisting of eighteen rooms, was opened to the public in 1940. A plaque inside the portico in the front of the building read: 'This Fine Arts Building and President's residence were made possible by the gifts of Mr. and Mrs. William Fleming Rich and Family.' On back: 'Return Naomi Woolever, Williamsport Sun-Gazette.'

The Fine Arts Center, consisting of eighteen rooms, was opened to the public in 1940. A plaque inside the portico in the front of the building read: 'This Fine Arts Building and President's residence were made possible by the gifts of Mr. and Mrs. William Fleming Rich and Family.'

The Old Fine Arts Building was originally constructed in the 1870's as a family dwelling. It was purchased in 1931, along with nineteen other properties located on the same city block, by Michael Bond Rich of Woolrich Mills, the former President of the Board of Directors of Williamsport Dickinson Junior College. The property was donated to the college for future expansion. Five buildings were left standing when the other properties were razed in 1939. One of those was remodeled for the President's home, and the other four were remodeled for the Fine Arts Center. The building was painted white, green shutters were hung, the eaves were cut back, a new roof was put on, and eighteen-foot colonial columns were erected for the front, which faced the center of the campus. The Fine Arts Center, consisting of eighteen rooms, was opened to the public in 1940. A plaque inside the portico in the front of the building read: 'This Fine Arts Building and President's residence were made possible by the gifts of Mr. and Mrs. William Fleming Rich and Family.' 'Widemire, Williamsport, PA' is stamped on the back.