Morgan Hall: $6 Mil ,Three Month Makeover

By Susan Bush
12:00AM / Friday, September 01, 2006

Williams College student Ta Banchuin tried out new furnishings at the renovated Morgan Hall student dormitory.

Williamstown - Williams College third-year student Ta Banchuin of Chiangmai, Thailand was delighted with the new Morgan Hall student digs. She is among the students who will live under the renovated roof during the upcoming academic year.

"Better Than I Thought It Would Be"

"I am so excited," she said as she toured the newly-renovated four-story student housing building. "It's a lot better than I thought it would be. Before, this building was beautiful from the outside, now it is beautiful from the inside, too."

Then, she flipped open a cellular telephone and said "It's really, really nice and I am going to call my friend right now and tell her about it."

Morgan Hall first floor living room area

Banchuin joined the dozens of students, college staff and faculty who peered into single and double bedrooms and oohed and aahed over the new kitchen dining space, and large, generously-furnished community living room.

A $6 Million Student Home

The enthusiasm and praise are well-deserved; the $6 million renovation project did not begin until students vacated the building in late May. Workers labored at the site seven days a week during the past weeks and the building is ready to welcome student residents back to its' rooms on Sept. 3.

The first floor boasts a refurbished kitchen with a new stove, refrigerator and microwave oven. The dining area is outfitted with a table and chairs as well as additional seating arranged throughout the space.

New kitchen space at Morgan Hall

The living room is furnished with two large couches and a number of sink-into-them-gratefully chairs. A flat-screen television is mounted along a wall. Single and double sleep spaces are equipped with study desks, and the bathrooms are modernized and designed with upscale lighting and fixtures.

Dining area

The project builder was Barr and Barr Inc.. The firm was also involved with the college's '62 Center for Theater and Dance. Barr and Barr Inc. was founded in 1929 by Joseph Barr, and originally operated under the name Barr and Lane Inc.. The company has eight offices situated throughout the Northeast, including 71 Spring Street.

Morgan Hall was built in 1882. The tall, imposing structure is situated at the corner of Main and Spring streets and owns the distinction of being the first Willams College dormitory to install indoor plumbing. Previous renovations occurred in 1972 and 1992.

Morgan Hall was built in 1882.

Susan Bush may be reached at suebush@iberkshires.com or 802-823-9367.