Muskingum College Campus Historic District
Also known as: See Also:Paul Hall
Why it's listed
Muskingum College's historic campus sits just north of New Concord's business district in eastern Muskingum County, Ohio. The district gathers the buildings that shaped the college after its founding in 1837 under the Rev. Mr. Waddle, along with the College Drive United Presbyterian Church, reflecting the school's long Presbyterian ties. Buildings date from Paul Hall (1873) through Cambridge Hall (1927). Brown Chapel (1912) and Montgomery Hall (1921) were designed by architect Frank Packard, while J. Kerr Griffin designed Cambridge Hall. Brick construction, limestone trim and red tile roofs give the 1920s buildings a consistent look. Other features include Johnson Hall, Patton Hall (the first dormitory), the Little Theatre, the president's Manse, a powerhouse, and the Spoonholder, a gazebo over the college lake. The nomination presents the campus as an educational and cultural center for the region whose graduates include notable academic, political and church leaders.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the district contains the buildings central to the development of Muskingum College, founded in 1837, which has educated students from across the United States and abroad. It cites the college's close ties to the Presbyterian Church and its role as a liberal arts and cultural center for the region. The buildings also show shifting tastes in educational architecture, and the revised text says the boundaries cover the entire campus built before 1930.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79001910, listed June 11, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | U.S. 22, New Concord |
|---|---|
| County | Muskingum County |
| Listed | June 11, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79001910 |
| Resource type | District |
| Architect / builder | Frank Packard (Brown Chapel, Montgomery Hall); J. Kerr Griffin (Cambridge Hall); builders include William C. Handschy, E. Mast, and Dunzweiler contractors of Zanesville |
| Architectural style | Late Gothic Revival (Brown Chapel); Jacobethan Revival elements (Montgomery and Cambridge Halls); Colonial Revival dormers (Patton Hall) |
| Areas of significance | Education, Architecture, Religion, Performing Arts |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Campus in use for education, with a church and president's residence; the form lists the property as occupied and in good condition, with some buildings renovated. |
| Acreage | 200 |
| Within district | Muskingum River Navigation Historic District |
| Coordinates | 39.99758, -81.73612 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79001910.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.