Mary Hobbs Hall, Guilford College, Greensboro, N.C.

Mary Hobbs Hall History

By Morgan Myers, Guilford College, 2013

Mary Hobbs Hall has been part of Guilford College for over a century. It has gone through many physical and social changes throughout this time. In 1907, Mary Hobbs Hall was built due to the fundraising of the Girls’ Aid Committee. This was a committee dedicated to raising money for the education of girls. Mary Mendenhall Hobbs provided the backbone to the idea, fundraising activities, and structure of Mary Hobbs Hall. Upon construction, the building was named New Garden Hall. Following the death of Mary Mendenhall Hobbs, the name was changed to Mary Hobbs Hall in 1933.

Initially the building housed fifty girls with two in each room. This building was designed to help women who struggled with finances, to be able to attend school, by living in a cooperative dorm. This meant the girls had to perform daily chores like cooking and cleaning, and in return the living cost was lower. The establishment of a co-op dorm was essential to enhancing the education of women, which was the heart of Mary M. Hobbs legacy. Different classes were taught in Mary Hobbs to help women with these tasks such as cooking and sewing classes. For about ninety-three years Mary Hobbs remained a cooperative dorm creating a strong community of women, like no other dorm on campus.

For the rest of this store, go to Mary Hobbs Hall history :: Textiles, Teachers, and Troops - Greensboro 1880-1945 (uncg.edu). The photo is from Wikipedia. The photo of Mary Hobbs Hall is from Guilford College - Magellan College Counseling (magellancounseling.com).