Dewey Hall

Norwich University

As one of the oldest buildings on the Norwich University campus, Dewey Hall has served many uses over its 120-year history.  In addition to classroom and office space, Dewey Hall has housed a military post, a library, a museum, a weather station and a chapel. In 1925 the building was gutted by fire and later rebuilt with a new third floor.

This latest renovation to Dewey hall called for both interior and exterior improvements. Outside, we removed the existing south entrance and replaced it with a new addition that includes stairs, an elevator for ADA access, and lounge space that takes advantage of striking mountain views. The new south-facing facade better relates to the historic north entrance and restores the architectural character appropriate to its prominent site on the campus green.

Inside, classrooms, offices, and common areas were modernized for twenty-first century learning while maintaining historic details and finishes.

“These spaces provide opportunity for students to move beyond their books, their papers, their headphones and into meaningful person to person dialogue,” says Sandra Affenito, Provost at Norwich.

The project was a true collaborative effort between Norwich University, Jones Architecture of Salem, MA and Freeman French Freeman, Architect of Record.