MacCracken Hall

MacCracken Hall is a women’s residence hall on Miami University’s campus in Oxford, Ohio. Built in 1957 and completed in the spring of 1961, MacCracken Hall was named after Miami Graduate Henry Mitchell MacCracken. It is located on Miami University’s Central Quad, and currently houses four sorority chapters: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Kappa Delta.Construction and PlanningMacCracken Hall was built by Knowlton Construction, with architect Cellarius & Hilmer in the mid-1900s. The West Wing was opened in September 1957; while the Central Wing and East Wing were under construction, the women’s dormitory was called Center Hall. After the hall was fully completed in the spring of 1961, it was renamed MacCracken Hall, after Henry Mitchell MacCracken. The entire hall cost $1,690,000, with a square footage of 76,940 and a maximum capacity of 275 people. It was built with three chimneys, has three and a half stories plus a basement, and was built in brick.HistoryBefore MacCracken Hall was on Miami University’s campus, a temporary housing unit, called Miami Lodges, was constructed in the spot where MacCracken Hall is currently located. Miami Lodges was constructed in 1947 to house approximately 600 men who came to campus after WWII. MacCracken Hall was built a decade later, and full construction was completed in 1961. It was dedicated on the morning of Saturday, September 16, 1961 at 11. The ceremony was held to dedicate all of the buildings built between 1940-1962 facing the South Quadrangle of the South Campus of Miami University. MacCracken Hall initially housed six sorority houses, two large recreation rooms, two living rooms, and a large dining facility.