Pfeiffer Hall photo by Angela Foster
In his role as University archivist, UC Foundation Associate Professor Noah Lasley works to acquire, arrange and describe official University of Tennessee at Chattanooga records and other valuable materials that document 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 degree 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.
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As the first dormitory space constructed by the University of Chattanooga since the original “Old Main” building, the opening of Annie Merner Pfeiffer Hall in 1949 generated much excitement.
“The dormitories open a new era in university history,” proclaimed one local newspaper, “for with limited facilities for boarding students, UC has been largely a city college for the past three decades. Now, educators point out, students in number from other areas may be included in enrollment.”
Pfeiffer Hall sign eye-level view, undated. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus photographs, UA-00-03-01-20-004. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
The project grew out of a 1944 fundraising campaign organized by the University Board of Trustees. A small committee sought donations from individuals and organizations for “new buildings and a general program of improvement and expansion.” In a matter of weeks, it had secured $375,000, with $50,000 contributed by Annie Merner Pfeiffer (1860-1946) of New York City for the construction of a women’s dormitory.
Annie and her husband, Henry Pfeiffer Jr. (1857-1939), were active members of the Methodist church with a special interest in supporting infrastructure projects at Methodist institutions, including the University of Chattanooga at the time. In fact, the speaker at Pfeiffer Hall’s dedication noted that it was one of at least 25 buildings bearing the Pfeiffer name, with others located around the world— including China, India and Argentina. There is even a Pfeiffer University in North Carolina.
Henry Pfieffer Jr. held a high-ranking position at Warner Drug Company, a large medical manufacturing company that was acquired by Pfizer in 2000.
Pfeiffer Hall exterior view, undated. University of Tennessee at Chattanooga campus photographs, UA-00-03-01-20-003. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
Annie Pfeiffer, a personal friend of former University President Dr. John H. Race, visited campus prior to making her gift. Although she died in 1946 before construction on Pfeiffer Hall began, University President David A. Lockmiller noted that “Mrs. Pfeiffer’s interest was an inspiration to the administration, and in return the loyal and prompt support of local citizens enabled the [fundraising] committee to present her with a challenge which resulted in her generous gift.”
Construction on the dormitory was delayed by material shortages, but eventually began in the fall of 1947. Project architects were Poundstone, Godwyn, and Ayers of Atlanta, and brick and steel-reinforced concrete were the primary building materials. By 1948, eager residents moved into the new structure at the southeast corner of Oak and Baldwin streets. In addition to lodging for 75 students, Pfeiffer Hall included laundry facilities, a kitchen, an infirmary, a sun deck, a study lounge and a living room with “date nooks.” Stuart Purser, head of the University Art Department, painted an oil portrait of Pfeiffer that hung above the living room mantel.
In the 1960s, Pfeiffer Hall was air-conditioned, and a large wing for 150 students—then called the Pfeiffer Annex and later Susan Stagmaier Hall—was added to the structure. Residential use of Pfeiffer Hall ended in the early 2000s, and the building is now home to Housing and Residence Life.
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Pfeiffer Hall lounge eye-level view, University Echo, April 12, 1963, page 3. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
Bibliography
“$375,000 Pledged to UC,” University Echo, October 27, 1944, page 1. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/3513/rec/3.
“$375,000 is Donated to UC for Postwar Building Fund,” Chattanooga Daily Times, October 26, 1944 pages 1 and 11.
Browne, Vivian. “Hall is Dedicated to University Use,” Chattanooga Daily Times, April 11, 1949, pages 3 and 5.
“Construction Setbacks Result in Dorm Changes,” University Echo, September 29, 1967, page 3. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/5601/rec/2.
“Dorm Dedicated Today; Named ‘Stagmaier Hall,’” University Echo, January 12, 1968, page 1. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/5655/rec/3.
“Dormitory Residents Make Moving Plans,” University Echo, December 1, 1967, page 1. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/5643/rec/5.
“Mrs. Pfeiffer Dies; U.C. Benefactress,” Chattanooga Daily Times, January 9, 1946, page 9.
“New UC Dormitory to Be Ready Jan. 3,” Chattanooga Daily Times, December 26, 1948, page 6.
“Pfeiffer Hall Cost $264,000; Furnishings Valued at $15,000,” University Echo, February 18, 1949, page 3. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/3835/rec/5.
“UC Building Plans Begin to Blossom,” University Echo, May 31, 1947, page 1. https://digital-collections.library.utc.edu/digital/collection/p16877coll9/id/3711/rec/54.
Annie Merner Pfeiffer portrait, University Echo, October 27, 1944, page 1. Courtesy of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Special Collections.
