Historic Event of 50 Years Ago

On October 25, 1904, the 7th Earl of Dartmouth, great-great-grandson of the British nobleman for whom the College was named, laid the cornerstone of the new Dartmouth Hall, about to be rebuilt following destruction of the original edifice by fire in February of that year. The photograph shows Lord Dartmouth, in top hat, helping to lower the cornerstone into place. Just prior to this ceremony he had participated in a procession to Eleazar Wheelock's grave, where President Tucker spoke.

The rebuilding of Dartmouth Hall fifty years ago was a milestone in the College's history, for the prompt and overwhelming response of the alumni to the appeal for funds marked the beginning of the really adequate financial support that Dartmouth men have continued to give, in larger and larger measure, up to this day. The call that Trustee Melvin O. Adams '71 sent out to the Boston alumni - "This is not an invitation, it is a summons" - struck a spark that flamed into a loyal and active alumni organization that has become one of Dartmouth's greatest strengths.