University Archivist Noah Lasley works to acquire, arrange and describe official University of Tennessee at Chattanooga records and other valuable materials for documenting the University’s history and functions. His research interests include digital humanities, digital curation and archival instruction.
Lasley received a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in information science from UT Knoxville. Before joining UTC Special Collections in July 2016, he worked for several library units at UT Knoxville, including Modern Political Archives, Great Smoky Mountains Regional Project and Digital Production Area.
The Advancement House, or President’s Home as it was known in 1910. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
The Advancement House on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus dates back to 1909—when a series of events led the student newspaper to note that it would be recognized as “a red-letter year in the history of the university.”
On a June evening around the time of commencement, university and civic leaders gathered for a dinner celebrating the University of Chattanooga Board of Trustees’ recently secured ownership of the institution’s real estate—a parcel of land bounded by McCallie Avenue, Douglas Street, Vine Street, and Baldwin Street (now known as University Drive).
In accordance with denominational governance at the time, the Methodist Episcopal Church originally purchased the property in the 1880s. However, new regulations in the 1900s allowed for the transfer of property to church-affiliated universities with the financial means to become self-governing.
For the University of Chattanooga, this was no easy feat. In order to achieve self-sufficiency, the University engaged in a years-long fundraising campaign, eventually securing over $200,000 in financial support—both from national and local sources. The efforts of President John H. Race were instrumental to this outcome.
After accepting the role of University leader in 1897, Race successfully entreated renowned philanthropists such as Andrew Carnegie and Daniel Kimball Pearsons to make contributions to the University’s endowment. He further bolstered the status of the University by arranging visits from distinguished speakers such as Secretary of the Treasury Leslie M. Shaw, who spoke at the 1905 commencement ceremony.
During this period of fiscal austerity, Race drew a minimal salary—and he and his family lived in student housing.
Left: John H. Race, University of Chattanooga president, 1897-1913; after his presidency, Race remained active in University governance until he died in 1954. Right: Hill City Methodist Episcopal Church pledge card, 1909. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
In acknowledgment of this work and sacrifice, Chattanooga’s civic leaders heaped congratulations upon Race. During the 1909 dinner, University trustee John A. Patten announced that the first order of business of the board was building a residence for the president.
“Does it not come to us in the first moments of the life of the greater University that he has made possible that we should promptly recognize this epoch and his service by providing a suitable home on yonder beautiful campus for him and those he loves?” Patten said. “If Chattanooga did less than that it would be all out of harmony with the Chattanooga spirit of which we are wont to boast.”
Chattanooga Daily Times, Sept. 28, 1909
The University made good on this promise. Patten led a fundraising drive for $20,000 to build the home, securing contributions from citizens and churches throughout Chattanooga.
Local architects G.Q. Adams and J.D. Alsup designed the residence in the Federal Revival style, and the finished construction was admired for its balance and symmetry.
Once completed in 1910, it became an anchor of the campus, often functioning as an administrative reception area after various University functions and as a meeting space for the Board of Trustees.
The last residential occupant of the home was Chancellor Jim Drinnon (1973-1981) and his family. Visiting campus decades later, Drinnon recalled in a 2022 conversation that the home’s proximity to Chamberlain Field allowed his family to watch the football team practice there in the evenings with such consistency that there was a scrimmage team named “Drinnon’s Raiders.”
In the 1980s, the home underwent extensive renovations and was converted into office space for the Advancement Division.
Ultimately, the Advancement House is a physical reminder of the financial independence and property ownership secured by the University in 1909. These changes enabled institutional growth in an increasingly local direction, leading to the kinds of “town and gown” relationships that the University still prides itself on today.
Along with Old Main (center), the Chattanooga Medical College building (right background), and a gymnasium (right foreground), the Development House (left) was one of the original University structures—predating Founders and Race-Hooper Halls by several years. Campus illustration, Moccasin yearbook, 1915, page 120. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
Bibliography
President’s New Home featured in a Chattanooga viewbook published by the university in 1910, LD-891-C72-B66-1910. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll12/id/353/rec/124.
Grant University Board of Trustees annual meeting minutes, 1906 June 14, page 94, https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll25/id/994/rec/21.
“Residence Assured for President of University,” Chattanooga Daily Times, September 28, 1909.
Report of the President, University of Chattanooga Board of Trustees meeting minutes, 1955 June 6, UA-02-01-01-086, page 6, https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll25/id/3482/rec/16 .
“President’s Home Assured”, University Echo, 1909 June 1, https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/706/rec/62.
President’s Home pledge John H. Race papers, UA-04-01-04.
Campus illustration, 1915 Moccasin yearbook, 1915, page 120. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll3/id/1286/rec/3
