McCook Academic Building
Built in 1963, McCook Academic building is located on the Gates Quad on the site of the former Stickney Hall and conjoined with Hallden Hall. It contains classrooms and laboratories, an auditorium, and offices for the Anthropology, Educational Studies, Environmental Studies, International Studies, Jewish Studies, Philosophy, Physics, Public Policy and Law, and Religious Studies departments.
During the 1960s, the physics department was located in the outmoded Jarvis Scientific Laboratory (1888) and Mathematics in Boardman Hall, which was also becoming overcrowded and outmoded.
Fundraising for the McCook Academic Building was completed in two mini-projects by Vice President Holland. His plans included raising funds for the Austin Arts Center as well as for other expenses. The Trustees Executive Committee approved his plan and $19 million was raised, including $6 million for the Arts Center and McCook. McCook and Austin Arts would become part of a new academic quadrangle on campus.
Designed by O'Connor & Kilham, headed by Robert B. O'Connor '16, construction on McCook began on May 14, 1962, and was completed in the summer of 1963. The building was dedicated on September 23, 1963, and its cornerstone is a brick from its predecessor, Jarvis, which was demolished the same year. The building was named for the McCook family in June 1964, who had 10 family members attend the College, including Professor John J. McCook, Class of 1863, who taught Modern Languages. Professor McCook also aided the College in raising about $500,000.
Sources
Trinity College in the Twentieth Century (2000) by Peter and Anne Knapp, pp. 42, 48, 242, 245, 312.
History of Trinity College (1967) by Glenn Weaver, pp. 257-258.