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Blanchard Hall
 At the
center of campus, north of the Billy Graham Center, is historic Blanchard
Hall, Wheaton's "Old Main." Blanchard was built
in four sections beginning in 1853 and completed in 1927.
It is named for Jonathan Blanchard, the College's founder
and first president (1860-1882), and his son, Charles Blanchard,
the second president (1882-1925).
Blanchard
Hall is constructed of native Illinois limestone quarried
in Batavia, Illinois. Its castle-like architecture is patterned
after buildings at Oxford University which Dr. Jonathan Blanchard
admired on a trip to England in 1843. The building
is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. During
a major renovation in 1989-90, care was taken to preserve
the character and integrity of many elements in the original
design. The last
stone of the octagonal tower was set on October 5, 1872. The
old bell that rang that day was replaced a few months later
by a 1,000-pound copper and tin bell cast in Troy, New York.
The school motto, Christo Et Regno Ejus ("For Christ
and His Kingdom") is engraved on the bell.
Offices for departments in the Humanities, Social Sciences currently occupy
the building as well as the offices of the President, the
Provost, Vice-Presidents and Academic Affairs. The Human Resources,
and Purchasing departments can also be found here.
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