Piper Hall: Past and Present
.jpg "Front view of Piper Hall at Loyola University Chicago, showcasing its stone exterior, columned porch, arched entrance, and landscaped greenery on a clear sunny day.")
Piper Hall is currently home to the Gannon Center for Women and Leadership and Women and Leadership Archives (WLA). Built in 1909, the building is one of the few remaining early 20th century mansions that once lined Chicago’s North Sheridan Road along Lake Michigan.
Architect William Carbys Zimmerman built the home in the American Foursquare architectural style for Albert and Cassie Wheeler. They sold the home in 1916 to Albert and Bessie Johnson. In 1929, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVMs) built Mundelein College, a Catholic women’s college, in the same block to the west of the home. During the Great Depression, the Johnsons sold the house to Mundelein, who converted the space into the college library.
Mundelein College used the structure for various purposes including a student center and the religious studies center. In 1975 the facility became Piper Hall, named for Kenneth and Virginia Piper, long-time Mundelein College supporters.
Piper Hall became part of Loyola University Chicago in 1991 when Mundelein College affiliated with Loyola. The restoration of the building in 2005 returned portions of the structure to the original design as well as provided space for the Gannon Center.
Piper Hall is currently home to the Gannon Center for Women and Leadership and Women and Leadership Archives (WLA). Built in 1909, the building is one of the few remaining early 20th century mansions that once lined Chicago’s North Sheridan Road along Lake Michigan.
Architect William Carbys Zimmerman built the home in the American Foursquare architectural style for Albert and Cassie Wheeler. They sold the home in 1916 to Albert and Bessie Johnson. In 1929, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (BVMs) built Mundelein College, a Catholic women’s college, in the same block to the west of the home. During the Great Depression, the Johnsons sold the house to Mundelein, who converted the space into the college library.
Mundelein College used the structure for various purposes including a student center and the religious studies center. In 1975 the facility became Piper Hall, named for Kenneth and Virginia Piper, long-time Mundelein College supporters.
Piper Hall became part of Loyola University Chicago in 1991 when Mundelein College affiliated with Loyola. The restoration of the building in 2005 returned portions of the structure to the original design as well as provided space for the Gannon Center.