Designed by Moore and Hutchins
Completed 1956

Renovations 2001 by Lucas Associates Architects

In 1950, the Alumnae Lodge, located on the City campus and the Alumnae Association headquarters since 1918, was sold. Without a home of their own, the Alumnae Association first occupied space in Goucher House, on the City campus, then in Froelicher Hall and finally in Van Meter Hall at Towson. However, the alumnae desired their own space on the new campus.

In order to create a building suitable for their needs, the alumnae formed the Committee on Planning a Permanent Alumnae House led by Virginia Merritt '15, chair, and Janet Jeffery Harris '30, vice chair. The committee desired to incorporate the needs of all the alumnae, and they conducted informal surveys through the Goucher Alumnae Quarterly to gain opinions. They also explored the alumnae facilities of other colleges. With assistance from Professor Winslow and the Faculty Planning Committee, the Alumnae House Planning Committee synthesized their findings into the requirements for the architects. They desired a ranch house style building consisting of a dining hall, lounge, bedrooms, dormitories, offices, and a meeting room.

Moore and Hutchins began the designs for the Alumnae House with John Moore as the primary architect; however, by August 1954, after many unsatisfactory designs, the Committee proposed changing architects. Instead of changing firms, they instead worked with Robert Hutchins who created a more acceptable plan, both in style and cost. There was a groundbreaking ceremony held on June 13, 1955, and after a year of construction, the Alumnae House was dedicated during reunion weekend on June 11, 1956. Due to financial restrictions, the Planning Committee had to cut back on some of the elements they desired in their new home. However, they ended up with a ranch style house that included a main drawing room, cloak room, kitchen, six bedrooms with three baths, and offices for the Alumnae staff.

In the early 1990s, the Alumnae/i Relations and Annual Giving offices were combined, and as a result the guest rooms were redesigned into offices to accommodate the growing staff. As the Alumnae/i Association of Goucher College (AAGC), grew and the years went by it became evident that the Alumnae/i House, renamed following Goucher’s decision to admit men, was no longer sufficient for the needs of the alumnus. In 1998, it was deemed by the College that renovations could no longer be deferred, and following the pattern set when the Alumnae House was built, the AAGC House Renovation Committee was formed. This committee, chaired by Dorothy Dorman '63, guided the renovations and raised over fifty percent of the cost of construction. The renovations, which increased the space by over sixty percent, were designed by Lucas Associates, and Whiting-Turner served as the general contractors. Construction began with a groundbreaking ceremony on May, 20, 2000, and the renovation efforts, known as the campaign "To Make Our House a Home," were finished with the rededication of the Alumnae/i House on June 9, 2001.

Historical photographs of the Alumnae/i House
Exterior Photographs
Interior Photographs

Honors
Louisa Whildin Buchner
Mary Katherine Scarborough Scheeler
Robert and Ethel Weber Berney