Parmenter Hall

A brief history: Then and now

By: Angela Bober

The first building on campus was built in 1866 and became known as Parmenter Hall. It did not receive the name Parmenter until 1938 however. The building is named after Charles S. Parmenter, who was both a university assistant and biology professor.

Over the years the building has had many uses from a gymnasium to different classrooms. Today the building has a speech and writing center on the lower floor as well as the history and education department. The main floor is home to the Holt-Russell Art Gallery and the security offices. The top floor consists of an art loft and class rooms. The building is used for different events throughout the year including the tunnel of oppression and move-in-day check in.

Sophomore Emma Pundt has had many different classes in Parmenter, her favorite part about the building is that “all of campus” can be seen from the top floor.

To many Baker students and faculty Parmenter is the face of the university. Many students associate the flags and birds nest as an iconic symbol.

“Before we had the current seal, the top of the building used to be our emblem,” Professor of History John Richards said.

Richards grew up in Baldwin City and attended Baker University. He has seen the building change and grow over the years.

One unique aspect he has heard while working in the building is that Parmenter might be haunted. After work one day a Lawrence Police officer who lives in Baldwin came up to Richards and asked if the building used to be a nursing school. While passing by one night she saw a nurse through a window. Upon further investigation she came to the conclusion that what she saw was not human.

On the outside of Parmenter, stars can be seen at various points. While they might look pretty they are not just for decoration. The stars are connected to beams that hold up the structure of the building.

Parmenter is home to many different stories, memories and history for all those it impacted while at Baker.

Photos

By: Elizabeth Hanson and Marissa Schimke

“My favorite part of Parmenter is the loft because I can relax and and have peace up there” sophomore Kenzie Wohlford said.

The speech center can be found in the basement of Parmenter Hall. Many students use this to edit and practice speeches before they present in their classes.

The Lincoln room is unique with an antique look. A photo of Lincoln is located in the room to honor his original donation of the construction of the building.

“I have painting class in Parmenter with [Assistant Professor of Art] Professor Horton and I love him, he is the best and my favorite professor” freshman Briana Bodine said.

Stained glass can be seen in both Parmenter and in the Osborne Chapel. The window lights the pathways with color and makes it shine bright in the Darby-Hope theater located on the second floor of Parmenter.

Baker University has different buildings all over campus, but Parmenter was the first and oldest addition to campus.

Parmenter is known for the rumored paranormal activity, as many students and professors believe that ghosts and other spirits inhabit the historic building.

The building was constructed because of the $100 donation of that Abraham Lincoln contributed to the University.

Parmenter Hall was re-dedicated to Baker University on Oct. 15, 1977.

“I think it’s cool how old it is and how there’s a big flag at the top for it to stand out,” freshman Chandler Davis said.

First floor blueprint of Parmenter Hall

By: Angela Bober

Virtual Tour

By: Elizabeth Hanson and Adam Cook

This virtual tour will allow you to experience Parmenter Hall like you are actually on campus.

Parmenter Hall: A Conversation

By: Adam Cook, Elizabeth Hanson and Mark Hady

Social Media Graphics

By: Rosie Santana, Marissa Schimke and Elizabeth Hanson

                  By: Mark Hady

A Letter to the Baker Admissions Office

By: Elizabeth Hanson

To whom it may concern:

This page was created to highlight Parmenter Hall on this campus. This building is seemingly extraordinary and should be recognized as such. Our Digital Media class constructed this page to give you a 360° experience of this specific building.

This page, like the others on this site, include give lots of information about what the buildings at Baker University have to offer to perspective students. It can be used as a recruiting tool because of its interactiveness and level of information available on the site.

We created this page with a lot of research on how to create and design a WordPress website along with how to create and link elements to a web page. We learned a lot about ourselves as media students through this final project for MM230. Digital media is an important aspect regarding the mass media major and the creation of this website emphasizes how we can be successful media majors.

We hope you enjoy looking through all our hard work!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Hanson, Mark Hady, Rosie Santana, Angela Bober, Marissa Schimke and Adam Cook