Bygone Buildings

In the lobby of the Guerrieri Academic Commons, a new exhibit called Bygone Buildings takes center stage. As we look forward to Salisbury University’s 100th anniversary in 2025, it seemed like a good time to explore some campus buildings that are no longer standing. The exhibit pays tribute to buildings fondly (or not so fondly) recalled by alumni: Tawes Gym, Powell Dining Hall, the Musical Arts Center, Potomac Hall/College Center, Allenwood and the Campus School/Caruthers Hall.

According to Jennifer Piegols, the university archivist and curator of the exhibit, she thought that “with the Centennial coming up, it would be interesting for current students to see how such a small campus has changed so drastically over a relatively short period of time.” She was surprised to learn how many of the buildings “were originally supposed to be ‘temporary’ but stood on campus for decades.”

Another motivation for the exhibit was to “spark the memories of alumni to reminisce on their campus experiences and inspire them to add their story to the university archives either through oral histories or donations.” Piegols also discovered that “the university archives lacked a lot of information and images” of some buildings such as Allenwood and the Musical Arts Center. “Without the few details that were in Sylvia Bradley’s [history of SU], snippets from The Flyer and confirmation by longtime faculty/residents of the area,” she observed, “there would be hardly any proof that those buildings were ever here. It points to some of the holes in the University’s historical record.” Take your cue, alumni! If you have items to donate to help fill the holes in our university archives, please contact Piegols at jhpiegols@salisbury.edu.

Piegols curated the exhibit along with Creston Long, the director of the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture. SU alumnus Thomas Long and Bridgewater College student Savannah Scott provided research support. Graphic artist Lori Pauling of SU’s Publications Office designed the panels.

The exhibit will be open through the fall semester. If you can’t make it to the exhibit in person, there is an online version available.