Pearsons Hall Renovation
Since its construction nearly a century ago, Pearsons Hall has been a “home away from home” for more than 10,000 Berea College students. After a year-long, $4 million renovation of the beloved residence hall, Pearsons reopened in August 2007 to 115 freshman women. These students are living and learning in a comfortable, accessible environment as they become part of the Berea legacy.
Introduced to Berea by President William Frost, Dr. Daniel K. Pearsons made several generous gifts to the College, one of which was $25,000 to build a men’s dormitory. Work on Pearsons Hall was underway in June 1909 and completed the following year.
Although Dr. Pearsons’ gift was initially expected to cover the building’s total cost, construction ran well over budget. The final cost of the four-story, 26,000-square-foot Pearsons Hall totaled nearly $40,000. Pearsons Hall was modestly remodeled in 1934 and again in 1973, when it was converted to a women’s residence. But nothing compares to the multimillion-dollar renovation of the past year.
The Pearsons makeover offers a contemporary residence hall. A glass-enclosed side stairwell, fourth-floor skylight, and color-coordinated furniture and carpet offer a dramatic sense of style. The public spaces offer inviting areas to congregate, with a large lobby on the first floor and a kitchenette, study room, and laundry room on each floor.
Pearsons meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992 and all state and local accessibility requirements, with a handicapped-accessible room on every floor and elevator access on all levels. Security features like card reader entry access and energy-efficient measures like water-saving toilets make Pearsons Hall a safe, sustainable home for Berea students.
