Wheaton Wire

Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Michaele Bunker '11 The President's House located on East Main St. located on East Main St. across from Mary Lyon.

Ever wonder where President Crutcher sleeps? For those who are interested, you'll be happy to know that the President and First Lady of Wheaton College have moved into the original Presidents' House, after the long awaited renovation. Their first night in the house was September 12th and President Crutcher was happy to report "how much like home it felt."

Originally built in 1829, the house is suggested­­ to be one of the best examples of federal style architecture in the region. Being a historic landmark, the Board of Trustees needed permission from Norton Historic Commission in order to renovate it. The architect took the Commission on a tour of the house, pointing out the exact changes, which green-lighted the project said President Crutcher.

There was some trouble with the initial architect, who was relieved of his duties early in the process. Once the groundwork began, the workmen found extensive deterioration in the foundation. There was also the issue of the connection between the house and the garage that had been added about 50 years ago. President Crutcher noted that the addition was, "not very thoughtfully done. That really put some pressure on the house."

The architect did most of the interior decoration, keeping with the historical roots of the house, and the Crutchers received an anonymous fund for furnishing.
The aspect the Crutcher's were most involved in was color of the walls. "We had one of the professors [Professor Evans of Art History] come up with a color scheme for our house," said President Crutcher. Some of Dr. Crutcher's favorites included avocado and cranberry colored rooms.

Traditionally, the annual first year seminar dinners are held in the Presidents' House. However, for the past four years, the dinners have been in the Faculty Dinning Room in Emerson. "Already this year three of the first year seminars could not have their dinners at the house. As a result we are inviting them to the Open House that we are having for the faculty," said President Crutcher. There will also be other opportunities to visit the new house. He will dine with his mentoring group later in the month.

Currently, President and Mrs. Crutcher live alone in the house. Although, the President says, "my pet is my cello." In the end the goal of the renovation was reached. "The house is still going to be able to serve a 21st century function yet have some vestiges of that 19th century character," concludes President Crutcher.

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