Remembering the Women's Building

From 1923 to 1967, an intrepid group known as the Women's Albany College League raised funds "to promote the welfare of Albany College" (which became Lewis & Clark College in 1942). The women organized teas, plays, lyceums, rummage sales, chain lunches, and bazaars--and shared their largesse with the College.

In the early 1940s, when the College was looking for a campus compatible with its expanding vision, trustees asked the league to donate its assets and forgive loans to help support the gift-purchase of the Lloyd Frank Estate. In return, the board said it would name the principal residence or mansion house the Women's Building and use it as a "women's dormitory and social hall." The league approved the request and contributed nearly a third of the estate's total price.

Through most of the 1940s, yearbooks and other sources indicate the building was indeed called the Women's Building. But by the early 1950s, the name had fallen out of use.

In 2006, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Gender Studies Symposium, Lewis & Clark created a bronze plaque to recognize the unsung contributions of the Women's Albany College League. It will soon reside in Frank Manor House.

Read more about the history of gender studies at Lewis & Clark.