John A. Munroe Hall, the new home of the departments of History and Anthropology, was dedicated on November 2, 1997 to an audience of more than 300 faculty, friends, students, and relatives in.  The building's namesake, alumnus and Professor Emeritus of History John A. Munroe, addressed the crowd and gratefully received the honor bestowed on him.  A dedicated teacher and distinguished scholar of history, Munroe reminisced about his long association with the University, which began as a freshman in 1932 and has continued past his 1982 retirement to the present day.

"The sixty-five years since I entered," he mused, "have slipped by easily and quickly. I came from a happy home where my parents supported my desire to become a scholar and a teacher.  In Newark, students and colleagues helped me lead the sort of life I hoped for. Munroe, 83, received a standing ovation upon taking  and leaving  the podium. He noted in his address how the center of gravity of the campus has shifted completely over the years.
hen he attended the university, he said, the campus’ center was what is now the North Mall. [also refered to as "Old College"] 

Munroe thanked the speakers and members of the audience and expressed special appreciation to G. Burton Pearson Jr., UD trustee, who was a member of the Newark Board of Education that, in 1936, approved then 21-year-old Munroe's appointment to an emergency vacancy at Newark High School. Munroe, who has written detailed histories of Delawar'e colonial history as well as numerous articles about the state and the University began teaching a required course on the state's history  in 1942. This course was a requirement for all University of Delaware students until the 1970s.

Dr. Munroe was joined by his wife Dorothy Munroe for the ceremonial ribbon cutting.  President David P. Roselle, Provost Mel Schiavelli, UD Trustee G. Burton Pearson, and Richards Professor of History Carol Hoffecker also accompanied Munroe in the ribbon-cutting and in the general praise that many expressed for his service to the University. In addition to welcoming Dr. Munroe, President Roselle also welcomed  the guest of honor's wife, Dorothy, their children--Stephen Munroe of Shorewood, WI.; Carol Munroe of Cambridge, MA.; and Michael Munroe of Chesterfield, VA.--and other relatives and classmates. 

One of five speakers during the dedication ceremony, Professor Hoffecker delivered a heartfelt address highlighting Munroe's career and his abiding value to the University. "John Munroe," she offered, "has been a model for all of us, but especially for those of us who teach at the University, whatever our subject.  He has been our teacher, and what he has taught in all its dimensions has built the University more than bricks and mortar can ever do.  But it's nice,too, to have this new, beautiful and comfortable building." “John became the one professor at the university that every  student encountered,” Hoffecker said. “He emerged as the best-knownperson in the state. He knew everybody  and everybody knew him.”  

Carol Hoffecker, Richards Professor of History, spoke of Munroe's distinguished career and long association with the University--from his arrival as a freshman in 1932, through his tenure as chairperson of the department from 1952-1969 and as a faculty member until his retirement in 1982. Ms. Hoffecker said that Dr. Munroe is “a wonderful storyteller with an incredible memory and a wonderful sense of humor.”

The dedication ceremony seemed more like a family reunion, with the majority of the audience not only knowing Munroe but each other as well. President Emeritus E. Arthur Trabant,who was also in attendance, said he has known Munroe for 30 years. “[Those at the dedication] all feel a part of it because they’re all so close toJohn,"  Trabant said. “So many of these people have people have been affected by John the professor and John the person. They feel their lives have been enriched  by him.”

Located at 46 West Delaware Avenue, Munroe Hall is a model of what President Roselle styled "adaptive reuse" of three older brick houses fronting the north side of the street.  These houses which were originally built in 1912, were renovated for office and lab space while preserving the historic appearance of their facades,and then were joined in the back to a new two-story building that mimics their old Newark architecture.  The result is quite seamless and is as comfortable as Professor Hoffecker claims. A more spacious and newly Munroe Hall furnished conference room for department meetings is among the new comforts.

The $3.2 million project, which started in the fall of 1996, consisted of renovating the three pre-existing buildingand linking them to a new 14,000-square-foot addition in the rear. The project is part of the university’s continuing effort to preserve the residential and historic appearance of Delaware Avenue, Hollowell said. The entire complex, begun in the fall of 1996, totals aroximately 27,000 square feet.

Thanks in large part to the logistical coordination directed by the History Department staff over the summer, History faculty moved smoothly into the new digs just as the major construction dust was settling in the fall.  Minor finishing work and adjustments continued through the fall semester and were virtually completed before the winter break.  It even looks like a plush green lawn will grace the landscape of Munroe Hall with the advent of spring.

Adapted from an article originally written by Melissa Braun
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