Henry Derthick, the eighth president of Milligan College, arrived on campus for the first time on June 10, 1917. Only three buildings on campus, one of which doubled as the local church, confronted him. Derthick would remain president until 1940, after bringing the school through World War I, raising over $3 million to renovate the campus, and keeping Milligan open through the Great Depression. In the 660,000 miles he traveled as president, Derthick never returned without pledges to help Milligan stay afloat. To anyone who researches President Derthick’s contributions to Milligan, it’s no surprise that our main classroom building is named after him. But if one researches Derthick Hall itself, they quickly realize there is much more to learn than simply its namesake.
Although the version of Derthick Hall that currently stands wasn’t completed until 2003, the very first building on Milligan’s campus was built on the same spot. In time, it evolved into what we see today.
The original building was constructed in 1867 and was the only building on campus. Built for use by the Buffalo Male and Female Institute, it also doubled as the local church building. A third floor was added in 1881 as well as a side addition. Both additions featured the famous red bricks that make up the majority of buildings on campus today.
Apart from a smaller renovation in 1913, very little changed about what at this time was known as the Administration Building. In 1917, President Derthick arrived and began making tentative plans for a large-scale renovation of the Administration Building.
But, before Derthick could put his plan into action, disaster struck. On Nov. 16, 1918, just a bit after 6 p.m., a careless cigarette destroyed all but the eastern wall of the Administration Building.
Derthick, almost immediately after the ruins began to cool, began raising the funds to rebuild “a new Milligan.” Within two years, over $200,000 had been raised, and the Administration Building was reconstructed along with the renovation of Hardin Hall and the construction of Pardee Hall. This new building was considered state-of-the-art for its time, with three floors, an auditorium and science labs.
The Administration Building would remain the same until 1968. At that time,Milligan President Jess Johnson began a campaign to renovate the oldest building on campus. Once completed, the new building featured a 250-seat auditorium, modern science and language labs, and internal heating and cooling systems. Officially rededicated as Derthick Hall on Nov. 11, 1978, by President Johnson, the building had now taken a shape that would be familiar to Milligan students today
Derthick Hall was renovated twice more, with the addition of today’s southern entrance in 2001 and the Mary Sword Commons and red brick walkway in 2003. The majority of what currently stands is a result of the 1968 renovation, but Derthick Hall history stretches back to the very beginning of Milligan College.
In his dedication speech for the new Derthick Hall, President Johnson said, “If Hopwood was Milligan’s founder, then Derthick was its preserver.”
Photos via Milligan College