A Vassar of the West: Pullman Builds a Home for College Women

PULLMAN, May 24 — A glance at the plans adopted by the agricultural college regents for the new girls’ dormitory demonstrates the beauty to which architectural designs have advanced during the last few years. The building will be situated north of the administration building, fronting north on a supposed street. It is of old colonial style of architecture, 100x124, two stories with basement and attic. The lower part will be constructed with rough granite stone to the top of the basement, around which will extend an area way about eight feet wide, to furnish light on this floor. From the basement upward to the top of the second story is of pressed brick. The attic will be of shingles, with the corners rounded, lending a sightly and picturesque finish to the structure.

In the south end of the basement a dining room, 35x[?], will be located, so constructed that it can be divided by closing folding doors, making, if necessary, two separate rooms of half that size. Kitchens, pantries, serving, fuel, laundry, housekeeper’s and servants’ rooms are also on this floor. A solid brick wall surrounds the kitchen, and this, taken together with the hood over the range, will force all odor and vapor up the chimney and keep the atmosphere of the building pure. On this floor a new and convenient feature is a recreation hall in the north wing, covering a space 28x20 feet, that may be used at any time, but will be particularly available in inclement weather.

The main entrance to the first floor is reached by six granite steps leading through the vestibule to the reception room, from which the grand half-rounding staircase is visible. Opening from the reception room is the parlor, 50x30; the music room, 20x[?]; and the preceptresses’ sitting and bedrooms. The only fireplace in the reception room will attract general attention, being of a particularly unique design. On this floor is also a porch facing toward town. It is 60x12 feet and will be entirely covered with glass slides. The covered carriageway porch is on the northeast corner of the building, from which an enclosed pathway leads to the main entrance. This floor also contains some of the bedrooms, conveniently arranged in different sizes and shapes, suitable for those wishing accommodations inexpensive or more costly.

The rooms were planned after an exhaustive study of the college buildings at Vassar, Wellesley and Cornell universities, and occupy a part of the first and all of the second stories. These rooms are so arranged in suites that a study room may be used by two students with separate bedrooms connecting on either side, or a student who prefers can have study and bedroom connecting at her sole disposal, or a combination that can be divided into study and bedroom or thrown into one large room, at the pleasure of the occupant.

Every room has a window for light and ventilation. Bathrooms are on each floor throughout, conveniently situated. An elevator for baggage is also one of the features of accommodation. In the attic the rooms will not be finished, but left so that they will be available and can be arranged and fitted up suitably at any time in any way they may be desired. As a whole, the building will be an acquisition to the college and make the grounds more attractive besides.

The regents, after an all-day session, during which they were busily engaged cutting down the specifications for the dormitory, let the contracts yesterday afternoon as follows: Building, Prinkwater of Pullman, $15,199; plumbing, Griffin Heating and Plumbing Company of Spokane, $1,143; heating apparatus, [I.?] Heating Company of Seattle, $1,233.50. The college will do the electric wiring. This brings the total amount within the appropriation. The regents adjourned this morning until their next monthly meeting in June and returned to their homes.

Dr. E. E. Nelson, of Spokane, was elected veterinarian, to take charge September 1.