Pfeiffer Library

History

On Rutledge Hall dedication day in October 1937, President McClelland surveyed the campus that was now MacMurray College. In just ten years, Senator MacMurray had given over $1 million to help pay for four new buildings and enlarge the endowment. However, before construction work had even begun on Rutledge, visionary President McClelland saw a grand library rising from south. The college had a small library housed in “Old” Main (razed in 1975) but with the phenomenal growth between 1928 and 1937, the little library was inadequate for the students’ and faculty needs, often described as “bursting at the seams.”

Earlier, in 1935, President McClelland had contacted Mr. and Mrs. Henry (Annie Merner) Pfeiffer, well-known philanthropist originally from St. Louis then living in New York City for a financial contribution to add a new library building. Even though they had never visited the college, they agreed to donate $25,000. A devout religious couple, Henry and Annie Pfeiffer had supported many educational and religious funds with time and treasure. Henry died in 1939 but Annie kept to their promise. She later raised the ante to $100,000 if the college could raise an equal amount. At a citizen’s dinner in February 1938, President McClelland announced the capital campaign. The corner of Clay Ave. and Beecher was selected as the site for the new library, often referred to as “down campus.” Two houses on Clay (410 and 414) were sold and moved to make way for the library. By commencement 1940, the fund reached $280,000 and a few months later, on October 10, 1940, the cornerstone laying ceremony occurred. In May of the following year, Dr. McClelland asked the students to help move books and 83% responded eagerly. Finally,dedication day arrived on graduation weeked, May 24, 1941. Annie Merner Pfeiffer was guest of honor and following the ceremonies, students toured the new building, which still awaited complete furnishings.

This is a just a sampling of images housed in the archives. View more images of the library at flickr.com. The sign-in name is historicimages and the password is macmurray. You're welcome to add comments to the images. Look for more images in the coming weeks.