Lycoming College - Lycoming College Campus - Past and Present

View of the Fine Arts Center looking northeast across the Quad. The building consisted of eighteen rooms, and was opened to the public in 1940. The Fine Arts Building and president's residence were made possible by gifts from Mr. and Mrs. William Fleming Rich and family. This photograph also shows the steps that Lycoming College graduates traverse at commencement.

View of Old Main looking south through the stone gates. The West Wing was built in 1839, the East Wing in 1850, and the center section was added in 1855. That section became six stories of faculty and administrative offices. Old Main functioned as a residence hall, classrooms, administrative building, and chapel combined. It was demolished in 1968. The former site is occupied by Lamade Gymnasium.

View of the east wing of Old Main looking north. This photo appears in a 1933 brochure, 'Williamsport Dickinson in the Beautiful Alleghenies,' and on the cover of the program for Guest Day, Saturday, May 14, 1938.

View of the cupola of Clarke Chapel as seen from the stone stairway of the Flag Court.

A view of the old Science Building just prior to demolition. The building was originally used as part of the Flock's Brewery. Lycoming College acquired it in 1951. It was converted into a science facility in 1956-57. According to a 1958 newspaper article, the interior was painted and plastered, acoustical tiles were installed in the ceilings, and asphalt floors were laid. Improvements were also made to the electrical and plumbing systems. According to the 1987-88 academic bulletin, the building housed biology and chemistry laboratories, classroooms, a lecture hall, and a greenhouse, and was used until 1988. It then served as a storage center for the Buildings and Grounds department until its demolition.

A side view of the old Science Building and maintenance building just prior to demolition. The building was originally used as part of the Flock's Brewery. Lycoming College acquired it in 1951. It was converted into a science facility in 1956-57. According to a 1958 newspaper article, the interior was painted and plastered, acoustical tiles were installed in the ceilings, and asphalt floors were laid. Improvements were also made to the electrical and plumbing systems. According to the 1987-88 academic bulletin, the building housed biology and chemistry laboratories, classroooms, a lecture hall, and a greenhouse, and was used until 1988. It then served as a storage center for the Buildings and Grounds department until its demolition.

President Blumer addresses the crowd at the re-dedication of the Fine Arts Center, formerly Hilltop Gymnasium. The stage area is viewed looking over the heads of members of the Lycoming College Band, who are seated and have music stands in front of them. The building was constructed in 1924, and was the first building project of President John W. Long. It was renovated and re-opened as the Fine Arts Center in 1980, and was re-dedicated sixty years from the day of the laying of the cornerstone of the old gymnasium. The Fine Arts Building has separate drawing, painting, and modeling studios; a sculpture, ceramic, and metal foundry; printmaking and woodworking shops; an art history lecture room; offices, and storage facilities. Information for this description is from the Lycoming College Report, November 1983.

View of Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall. Memorial Hall was a war surplus building originally used by the government as an office building. The Junior College acquired the frame building from the Susquehanna Ordinance Depot and moved it from White Deer. The 12,000 square foot floor space doubled the classroom space at Dickinson. Renovations were made, including bricking the exterior. The building was dedicated to twenty-five war dead and more than four hundred World War II service men and women. The building was razed in 1968 due to its deteriorating condition. On back: 'Memorial Hall 1951.'

The David B Sykes Gate at the entrance to Lycoming College at the corner of Little League Boulevard and Market Street. Mr. Sykes graduated from Williamsport Dickinson Seminary and Junior College in 1938, and continued his education at Pennsylvania State University. He earned a bachelor's degree and became a Certified Public Accountant. After serving in World War II, he became an accountant, and later became controller of Giant Food, Inc. He retired in 1996 as director, senior vice president of finance, corporate secretary, treasurer, and the chief financial officer of Giant. He has made generous contributions to Lycoming College. Each class officially enters Lycoming College by walking as a group with their class banner through the Sykes Gate, and pass out through the Metzler Memorial Gate at graduation.

View of the Wertz Student Center as a student enters it from the back of the building. Built in 1959, the building was named in honor of Bishop D. Frederick Wertz, the president of the college from 1955-1968. The facilities include dining rooms, lounges, a bookstore, meeting rooms, and game rooms. At one time it housed the radio station. It is located between Rich Hall, a student dormitory, and the President's Residence, which is now Admissions House. The white building in the background is the old Fine Arts Building.