View of Severance Hall (chemistry), constructed in 1902, from the academic quad of the College of Wooster
Portrait of Louis H. Severance, trustee of the University of Wooster, circa 1910
College of Wooster Libraries Digital Resource Commons
Courtesy of The College of Wooster Digital Resource Commons
President Holden's Autobiography, Selections of the 1901 Fire and Rebuilding 1932
"President of a Hole in the Ground": President Holden's Rush to Rebuild
President Holden wrote his autobiography for his children in 1932 and it featured an extensive portion on his time as the President of the College of Wooster. He focused on the difficulties he ran into as he desperately tried to find donors for rebuilding including Louis Severance and Andrew Carnegie.
Courtesy of the College Wooster Special Collections
Photograph of Remains of Old Main Building After Fire 1901
The photograph shows just how little remained of the campus’ main academic building after a fire ravaged the structure in 1901.
Courtesy of College of Wooster Special Collections
Photograph of Old Main Building the Morning After it Burned Down 1901
The main academic building on campus burned down early in the morning in mid December 1901. Students and faculty could only watch in horror as the fire destroyed the building.
Interviewed by Shannon Dade, Elisabeth Abell, and Scott Mclellan
Original Letter from Andrew Carnegie to President Holden Congratulating Him on Reaching the Requirements to Receive $100, 000 1902
Andrew Carnegie wrote personally to President Holden once he was informed that the University met his requirements. He pledged to follow through by paying $100,000 and said his cashier would send the check.
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Form Letter from President Holden Thanking Subscribers for Donating to Rebuilding Efforts 1902
In the letter, President Holden thanked people for donations and informed them that they had helped meet the conditions set forth by Andrew Carnegie, which allowed the University to receive $100,000.
President Holden's Form Letter Asking for Donations After Old Main Fire 1902
In the letter, President Holden is soliciting donations from the University community and town to rebuild, while also alluding to an anonymous donor who was eventually revealed.
Special Edition of The Wooster Voice About the 1901 Fire
The Special Edition describes the story of the fire and how the college responded. A lengthy section was devoted to listing how many people and organizations had donated and how people could continue to help.