By Frank J. Barrett, Jr.

It has long been a truism of Western culture that each succeeding generation develops and embraces its own architectural styles and tastes, all the while rejecting those of the preceding generation. To illustrate that point, as it was once played out here in the Upper Valley, let us briefly consider the somewhat strange, but not at all uncommon fate of the building known as Moor-Chandler Hall, years ago located on the Dartmouth College campus, in Hanover, NH

In 1837, Moor’s Indian Charity School, an ancient but no longer existent part of Dartmouth College, erected a new academy building for its use, located at the northwest corner of the Green, between present day Parkhurst and Crosby Halls. Designed by Ammi Young, also the architect for Wentworth, Thornton, and Reed Halls, the new building was superb in its Greek Revival proportioning and detailing – then the height of proper architectural style and good taste.
However, by 1871 the institution Moor’s Indian Charity School was gone; a new school within the Dartmouth community, the Chandler School of Sciences and the Arts, was in need of a building. Hence, the decision was made to remodel and expand the old Moor Building. In addition to needing increased space, the Greek Revival style structure was decidedly quite dated in its appearance! As a result, professor Frank A. Saerman designed a sweeping make over in the then fashionable second empire or “French” style, as well as providing new third floor space.

The new Chandler School flourished in its made over quarters. However, by 1898 additional space was required by the School. New York City architect, Charles A. Rich, who was doing other work on the Dartmouth Campus at the time, was commissioned to design additions and further alterations to the old Moor Academy Building. And, once again, current architectural taste was lavishly applied.

By the 1930’s, the needs and overall plans of the College had evolved to a point where the Moor-Chandler Building was no longer needed and, in fact, viewed as just an old Victorian frump or “monstrosity”. As one wag on campus wrote, it was “unquestionably the ugliest building in Hanover”. Architectural tastes had shifted again with a new, younger generation. So, as the old Academy Building approached its 100th year, Dartmouth Board of Trustees entry minutes for October 15, 1936, left no room for sentiment: “Voted: That Chandler Hall be demolished”. The following year, the W.H. Trumbull Construction Company of Hanover, N.H. dutifully carried out the College’s wishes, and the entire building was raised.

The old structure had survived a lot, but what had really killed it as a building was fashion. Perhaps if it had been left as it was built in 1837, and not gussied up to match the latest architectural fad, it might well still be grazing the Dartmouth Green with its quiet Greek Revival presences.

Frank J. Barrett, Jr. is a principal in the firm of Church & Barrett Architects located in White River Junction, Vermont. His historical writings have appeared in numerous books and publications over the years.