Putnam Hall History

After the positive response from Bertram, it appeared that Carnegie still would not provide any funding for the AC to construct a new library as Bertram doubted that a room measuring 32x14 feet, the dimensions which President Worst had submitted to Bertram, could house 5,000 volumes (Bertram to Worst, 8 March 1904). On 17 March 1904, President Worst received the news that Carnegie would not grant the AC money to construct a new library. Not deterred by the previous rejection, President Worst wrote to Carengie again on 7 February 1905 requesting funds for a new library. Things changed in the middle of February 1905 when Worst received a letter from Bertram stating that Carnegie gave the college in Yankton $15,000 to build a new library and believed that he could make a similar grant to the NDAC. NDAC received a grant of $15,000 on the condition that at least $1,500 was spent on purchasing books and the upkeep of the library each year (response from Bertram 16 February 1905). W. C. Albrant, an architect in Fargo, developed the specs for the new building. The basement, or ground story, shall be constructed of hard burned brick laid in cement mortar and resting upon concrete base or footings.  The super-structure shall be constructed of press brick backed up with common brick.  This press brick shall be high grade mottled brick using either Menomonie Hydraulic Brick or Twin City press brick or Dickinson, N. N.  The entrance floors shall be tiled and the steps marble.  The floors shall be wood covering with cork.  The cornice and mouldings on the exterior shall be iron, also the work about the dome.  The building shall be steam heated and furnished with first class ventilating system.  [Fl]oor plumbing shall be provided consisting of toilets, lavatories, etc. (W. C. Albrant, Architect, Fargo, N.D., letter dated March 27th, 1905). President Worst and the Board of Trustees chose Bowers Bros. as the contractors. Their bid was for $13,680 excluding "heating, plumbing, wiring, book stack, or any of the interior fixtures or furnishings" (Worst to Bertram, 13 April 1905). The construction proceeded as planned until November 1905 when President Worst wrote to Carnegie asking for an additional $3,400 to complete the library, especially the basement since the current funds had run out.

The process that began in 1903 came to a successful conclusion in February 1906 when the library was completed. The cornerstone for the library was laid on June 7, 1905 and the NDAC Carnegie Library was officially dedicated on January 18, 1906.  The total cost of the library was $23,000--eight thousand dollars over the projected cost.  Carnegie gave the NDAC the additional $3,400 raising his total endowment to $18,400. The Board of Trustees gave $4,500 to further offset the construction costs. The completed building measured 56 feet by 68 feet and had a full basement of red sandstone with a cloak room, store rooms, two reading rooms, room for literary societies and an additional stack room. The floors were tiled and the steps were marble. The interior finish was quarter sawed oak and all the stacks were metal. On the main floor the stack room measured 23x68 feet, two reading rooms could hold 50 students, and there was a rotunda measuring 16 feet in diameter. The Spectrum stated that the build was "modern and the best for its size to be found in any state" (The Spectrum, April 15, 1905, pg. 143 and Worst to Carnegie, 7 November 1905, The Fargo forum and Daily Republican, June 7, 1905 & January 19, 1906 ).

As the enrollment at NDAC increased, the Carnegie Library quickly became packed with students and the additional books and journals needed to meet the growing College's needs. A new library was built in 1949 and dedicated in 1950. The Carnegie Library then became home to the Music Department. In 1952, the Carnegie Library was rededicated Putnam Hall in honor of C. S. "Doc" Putnam, a former medical doctor who became the College's first band director.

Clarence Simeon Putnam was born September 16, 1859 at Barre, Vermont. He was educated at Barre Academy and Dartmouth College where he studied for two years. Because of the urging of his mother, he attended the Philadelphia Medical School and graduated in 1883 from the Hahnemann Medical College in Chicago. During all this time, Mr. Putnam was active in musical groups, directing a band at the age of 17. In 1904 a fire in the Edwards Building in Fargo destroyed his medical office. He then began teaching various courses at the North Dakota Agricultural College. At the College, he developed the fledging band classes into the Gold Star Band, so named because of the top ratings it received by the national inspectors of the Reserve Officers Training Corps. In addition, he organized at the college a concert orchestra, girl's and boy's glee clubs and a string ensemble. "Doc" Putnam continued in his work as bandmaster throughout his career at the NDAC until his death. He was also responsible for writing many compositions including the North Dakota Hymn and the NDAC school song, The Yellow and Green.

Today, Putnam Hall houses the College of Business Administration.

Architectural Information

"Classical Revival, built on a Greek Cross plan, one story aboved raised basement of yellow brick, brick corner quoining, amd sandstone trim.  Windows on sides and rear have jack-arched lintels and keystones.  Roof is surmounted by a small cupola; north facing entry uses sandstone Tuscum colum di-style in antis.  Metal cornice is heavily dentilled around pedimented gables.  William C. Albrant, architect." (National Register of Historic Places Inventory - Nomination Form, Summer 1982, p. 4)

univarchives@www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu University Archives, 701-231-8914 Published by the University Archives, NDSU Last Updated: 8/27/04