Hickory Hall Giant DNA strand

Hickory Hall, previously known as Bemis Hall, was the final item funded by Springfield College’s 7.3 million dollar Capital Campaign in 1974. It was located adjacent to Schoo Hall, known today as the Schoo-Bemis Science Center. Construction began in April, 1974 and the building was opened for full use in April of 1975. The new building, with a unique circular structure, was used as a life sciences building. Some innovative features included, moveable walls in lab areas, “dustless” marker boards, an interior ramp allowing handicapped access, faculty offices designed to accommodate seminar groups, and laboratories designed for specific areas of interest such as microscopy, physiology, plant biology, microbiology and genetics. Walking into the new science building, which was dedicated to life, was a central area deemed the “Hall of Life” or “Life Court.” It was surrounded by a circular ramp that leads from the first to second floors. In the Hall of Life was a dramatic 18-foot poured concrete sculpture-fountain that represented the life-defining DNA molecule. The pool at the fountain’s base displayed the astrological emblems of male and female, the shield of Mars overlaying the mirror of Venus. Display space for educational exhibits covered the walls around the ramp. The Life Court was covered with a translucent dome to allow natural light to illuminate the court. Under the leadership of SC President Richard B. Flynn a complete renovation of Bemis Hall was undertaken. The new design focused on creating technology enhanced classrooms, replacing the life sciences laboratories and classrooms with an 80-seat semi-circular lecture hall and seven new classrooms. The newly renovated Hall was dedicated on September 27, 2007 along with the Schoo-Bemis Science Center (renovated at the same time). The Bemis name, along with the life science focus of the Hall, was moved to the new state-of-the-art Schoo-Bemis Science Center. Interestingly enough, Hickory Hall was actually supposed to be a place-holder name, being the name of the street that used to pass through the center of campus.

This picture displays the giant DNA strand structure that sat in the "Life Court" inside Springfield College's Hickory Hall. Hickory Hall was originally known as Bemis Hall;