A Brief History of Olin Hall

Credits: LITA THENG

After Charles L. Horn, president of the Federal Cartridge Corporation and of the Olin Foundation announced a donation of 1,510,000 USD for the Development Program's number one priority, a hall of science to which President Gould sprang to his feet to accept. 

The building was completed in 1961, and in October of that year, Dr. Horn officially presented President Gould the keys of the building. 

The two-storey all-glass entry was said to be aligned with the architect's philosophy that "the entrance to a buildiing is as important as an individual's face". Olin Hall is a three-story bulding designed to make "your spirit soar". It's highly functional and attractive, especially during its time. 

Aside from its unique grille-work that shades the windowed sides, accessible classrooms, laboratories, dark rooms, constant temperature and humidity rooms, there is also the botanical greenhouse which adds a refreshing feel to the building. 

While under construction, the Olin Fondation with the desire that the building should have the finest equipment available gave the college a 34,750 USD electron microscope and further more, the Rockefeller Foundation granted 175,000 USD in biological research facilities. 

Olin Hall's modernity and accessiblity had made great contributions to various research and learning projects for students at Carleton College and it has continued to do so since it's completion in 1961.