Memorial Gymnasium - Wolfville

Memorial Gymnasium - Wolfville

 Acadia University Memorial Gym was built as a memorial to the Acadia men who were sacrificed in that “Great” World War.  Sixty-three classmen fell in the war, with casualties of nearly 50% among the 600 Acadia classmen who served.  Indeed, Acadia College was a pretty empty place during the First World War, with enrollment plummeting to only 155 students in 1918.  Even President Cutten went off to war.  The need for a gymnasium at Acadia College was occasioned by the fires which took Chipman Hall and Academy Residence in 1914-1915. In fact, it was the students themselves, with many returning veterans among the 334 enrollees of 1919, who pressed for a memorial gymnasium.  A substantial building fund of $125,000 was raised and the noted architect F.P. Dumaresq was commissioned to design the tribute, which was completed in 1921.

 Original Pen and Ink on archival paper. Double matted and framed to 15” x 17”