Our Campus Heritage

A timeline featuring images from the Westbrook College History Collection that show the evolution of the campus from 1830 to 2011. This exhibit provides historical context and information about the transition from Westbrook Seminary & Female Collegiate Institute to Westbrook Seminary, Westbrook Seminary & Junior College, Westbrook Junior College and Westbrook College and The University of New England. The timeline is located in Goddard Hall and can be viewed whenever the building is open.

Timeline detail (PDF).

Timeline 1830 – 2011

1830, September 29

The Kennebunk Association of Universalists resulves to establish a “Classical School” at Stevens Plains, Westbook, Maine.

1830, October 27

The Universalist founders’ chartering act for Westbook College Seminary decreese that no sectatian doctrine will be taught and that students from all religions and creeds will be accepted for education “in such of the elementary and higher branches of learning as the Board of Trustees…shall direct.”

1831, March 4

Governor Daniel E. Smith signs the charter for Westbook Seminary.

1834, May 1

Westbrook Seminary trustees unanimously adopt “a system of rules and regulations for the government and instruction of the Seminary” and elect an 1817 Harvard graduate, Rev. Samuel Brimblecom, A.M., principal.

1834, June 9

The first Westbrook Seminary class is held in the newly constructed Seminary Building with “males and females admitted to equal privileges.”

1842

A Stevens Plains fire destroys the home of the secretary of the Board of Trustees where Westbrook Seminary institutional records were kept.

1853

James P. Weston, D.D. becomes head of Westbrook Seminary, ushering in a period of prosperity and progress.

1857

Goddard Hall is built and named in honor of Thomas A. Goddard of Boston.

1863, March

Recognizing the lack of opportunities for higher education for women, the trustees are authorized by an act of the State Legislature to “prescribe a course of study for young ladies equivalent to that of any female college in New England.”

1863, June

The first Westbrook Seminary “Lady of Liberal Learning” degrees are awarded to Ella M. Morrill and Julia S. Quimby.

1867

The Gothic church is built on land deeded by Westbrook Seminary to the First Universalist Society of Westbrook.

1869

Hersey Hall, named for General Samuel F. Hersey of Bangor, opens to house female students and faculty on its upper three floors.

1884

Deborah Morton, an 1879 Westbrook Seminary and Female College graduate and class valedictorian, begins her tenure at Westbook Seminary.

1886

Westbrook Seminiary women strike against the severe regulations that restrict their freedom, but not that of their male counterparts, even to the point of not being permitted to walk to Morrill’s Corner without escort.

1892

The Athletic Association of Westbook Seminary is re-organized, the old chapel is refitted as a gymnasium, and the training in “Physical Culture” becomes a prominent feature.

1894

The Seminary Building is renamed Alumni Hall to honor alumni who contributed to its repair and renovation.

1900

Reflecting the popularity of all sports, McArthur Gymnasium, named for Biddeford/Saco businessman Robert McArthur, opens for the enjoyment of both men and women.

1914

Clarence P. Quimby becomes president and urges Westbrook Seminary to give up its co-educational function and concentrate on the education of young women.

1925

The last co-education class is graduated, and Westbrook Seminary, under the leadership of Agnes M. Safford, begins to offer two years of college for women in addition to its Preparatory Program.

1929

By a vote of the State Legislature, Westbrook Seminary becomes Westbrook Seminary and Junior College

1933

Milton D. Proctor, Ph.D. is appointed president of Westbrook Seminary and Junior College and emphasis is placed upon the junior college function.

1934

Westbrook Junior College becomes the third junior college to be accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

1952

Proctor Hall is erected and dedicated to President Milton D. Proctor, who is credited with “restoring to usefulness this historic institution of learning.”

1958

Edward Y. Blewett becomes president of Westbrook Junior College.

1959

The Maine Women Writers Collection is founded by Grace Dow and Dorothy Healy.

1961

Westbrook Junior College becomes the first residential junior college in the U.S. to offer a dental hygiene degree, and a new structure, named after Grace A. Coleman in 1977, is built to house the program.

1961

The Deborah Morton Society is initiated to honor Maine women who have made outstanding contributions to their communities.

1962

Alexander Hall, named for Oakey Logan Alexander, opens.

1963

Linnell Residence Hall honors William S. Linnell, a former president of theBoard of Trustees.

1964

McDougall Residence Hall, named for Trustee H. Nelson McDougall, opens

1964

Ginn Residence Hall remembers Edwin Ginn, Westbrook Seminary class of 1856, textbook publisher and philanthropist.

1965

The Department of Nursing Education is established.

1967

The Blewett Science Center, honoring President Edward Y. Blewett, is built to house the nursing department on its upper level.

1970, July 1

Granted by a special session of the 103rd Legislature, Westbrook Seminary and Junior College becomes Westbrook College and inaugurates James Franklin Dickinson as president of the College.

1971

The Gothic church reverts to Westbrook College and becomes the “Library-in-a-church.”

1973

Male students are once again enrolled.

1977

Thomas B. Courtice, Ph.D, becomes president of Westbrook College, ushering in a firm commitment to four-year programs.

1977

The Art Gallery opens.

1986

The Josephine S. Abplanalp ’45 Library and the Eleanor deWolfe Ludcke ’26 Auditorium are dedicated.

1987

William D. Andrews, Ph.D, becomes the 34th president of Westbrook College, guiding the College through its adoption of baccalaureate degree programs.

1988

The Beverly Burpee Finley ’44 Recreation Center is built.

1994

Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams win the Mayflower Conference championships.

1996, July 31

Westbrook College and the University of New England merge under the original 1831 Westbrook Seminary charter.

1996, August 1

Westbrook College changes its name to the University of New England, and Sandra Featherman, Ph.D., becomes the president of the newly merged institution.

1999

The College of Health Professions moves to the Westbrook College Campus.

2000

Hersey Hall is renovated

2001

Parker Pavilion is built to connect the Blewett Science Center and Proctor Hall with a newly constructed College of Health Professions interactive classroom.

2004

The Clinical Simulation Laboratory opens in the Blewett Science Center.

2005

750 Stevens Avenue is renovated.

2006

The 175th anniversary of the founding of Westbrook Seminary is celebrated, and Danielle N. Ripich, Ph.D., is inaugurated as president of the University of New England.

2009, September 8

The College of Health Professions is re-named the Westbrook College of Health Professions.

2009, October 1

The College of Pharmacy is dedicated and welcomes its inaugural class of doctoral students.

2010, May 22

175 years after graduating its first class of students from Westbrook Seminary, the University of New England holds its first Universitywide commencement ceremony, incorporating all five of the University’s colleges.

2011

Goddard Hall is renovated.