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Portrait of Louis H. Severance, trustee of the University of Wooster, circa 1910

The photograph shows just how little remained of the campus’ main academic building after a fire ravaged the structure in 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.

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.

View of Severance Hall (chemistry), constructed in 1902, from the academic quad of the College of Wooster

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…

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.

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.

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.