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The first Practice House of the Department of Home Economics was in the Holmes House at 308 Jamestown Rd. Opening in 1921 for juniors and seniors, it housed 3 students and the head of the Home Economics Department. The 1921-22 Student Handbook said, "To the right of Taliaferro is a small frame building which is used as the Practice House in Home Economics." That building was sold, and a little house was rented from a Mr. Pollard in 1922. The 1922-23 Handbook described it as "a small bungalow," and the Board of Visitors report said that it was "very cramped."

The next Practice House was the George P. Garrett Property at 129 Richmond Road, south of the Alpha Chi Omega House. The large, two-story frame house was purchased for $7,000 in autumn 1922. The upper floor was a dormitory for three junior girls and a professor. The lower floor was a model apartment.

By 1933 President Julian A. C. Chandler felt that the house was becoming dilapidated and should not be used for home economics. He proposed using the house as a dormitory for five girls for the following school year, after which time the building might be removed.

In 1935 the "home management house" was another two-story frame house, this time at 197 Cromwell Street near the Campus Gates on Richmond Road. By 1937, it was used as a dormitory for College employees.

By the time it was demolished in 1950, it was known as "the Old Practice House" and had been home to two College secretaries.

 

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A note about the contents of this site

This website contains the best available information from known sources at the time it was written. Unfortunately, many of the early original records of William & Mary were destroyed by fires, military occupation, and the normal effects of time. The information in this website is not complete, and it changes as we continue to research and uncover new sources.