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Home > College Archives, College History and Library > Special Collections > College Archives > College Photos > Buildings, Campus & Vicinity Photos > Old Gymnasium

Old Gymnasium

Construction of the first Bridgewater College gymnasium came with strong student support and some criticism from those in the community who felt athletics should not be a component of the Brethren College experience. Construction began on October 1907. On December 30, 1907 a windstorm destroyed the gymnasium as it was building built. Construction quickly resumed, and the gymnasium was first used in 1908. A covered balcony was later added for better views of basketball games on the gymnasium floor.

The Bridgewater College Class of 1913 financed a stage in the gymnasium as their senior class gift. This allowed the building to be used as an auditorium. Graduation exercises were held there from 1913 to 1916. In addition, there was a chemistry classroom and laboratory in the building’s basement from 1920 - 1926. A woodworking shop was moved there from Wardo Hall in 1917.

The balcony of the building was declared no longer safe around 1955 and fundraising began for a new gymnasium. The old gymnasium became a storage facility and workspace. The College is currently working to restore it.

Provisions of Use: Personal and non-profit use only. No cropping or altering of images in any way. Credit each image's source as "The Robert R. Newlen '75 and John C. Bradford Special Collections/Bridgewater College Digital Commons". Consider including a hyperlink to the image hosted on the Bridgewater College Digital Commons.

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  • Bridgewater College, Basketball game in the old gymnasium, undated by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Basketball game in the old gymnasium, undated

  • Bridgewater College, The old gymnasium, undated by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, The old gymnasium, undated

  • Bridgewater College, Old gymnasium, 23 September 1987 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Old gymnasium, 23 September 1987

  • Bridgewater College, The old gymnasium, circa 1956 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, The old gymnasium, circa 1956

  • Bridgewater College, Basketball game at the old gymnasium, 3 February 1949 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Basketball game at the old gymnasium, 3 February 1949

  • Bridgewater College, The old gymnasium, circa 1937 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, The old gymnasium, circa 1937

  • Bridgewater College, Print of the baseball team outside the old gymnasium, circa 1921 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Print of the baseball team outside the old gymnasium, circa 1921

  • Bridgewater College, Back of James A. Fry postcard to John W Wayland about rebuilding destroyed gymnasium, 1 January 1908 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Back of James A. Fry postcard to John W Wayland about rebuilding destroyed gymnasium, 1 January 1908

  • Bridgewater College, Early photograph of the old gymnasium, circa 1908 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Early photograph of the old gymnasium, circa 1908

  • Bridgewater College, Front of James A Fry postcard to John W Wayland about rebuilding destroyed gymnasium, 1 January 1908 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Front of James A Fry postcard to John W Wayland about rebuilding destroyed gymnasium, 1 January 1908

  • Bridgewater College, Front of postcard showing the gymnasium destroyed during construction by a storm in late December 1907 by Bridgewater College

    Bridgewater College, Front of postcard showing the gymnasium destroyed during construction by a storm in late December 1907

 
 
 

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