In the spirit of the season, we thought it would be fun to do a little digging into the history of our department (and a big thank-you to the University Facilities Historian Susan Ryan for all the info)!
The building at 18 Seminary Place was originally the home of Rev. Theodore Sandford Doolittle, who taught English, Philosophy, Psychology, Logic, and Architecture at Rutgers for thirty years and was the President Pro Term from Oct. 1890 to Feb. 1891.
The home was constructed between 1876 and 1892 in the French Second Empire Style— which, as you might notice, is the quintessential “haunted house” design (thanks largely to Norman Bates from Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”).
While our department is (probably) not haunted, it definitely makes for some spooky photos on Halloween!
And as an extra fuzzy bonus, a few special members of our department would like to wish you a happy Halloween:
Bruno
Owner: Marilyn
Favorite Treat: Pup-eroni
“I am Batdog!”
Kiwi (and Echo)
Owner: Jill
Favorite Treat: Temptations (Tasty Chicken)
“This photo is as close to harmony as we ever get.”
Echo
Owner: Jill
Favorite Treat: Plastic
“I am a box!”
Tim
Owner: Jill
Favorite Treat: Whatever is currently on Jill’s plate
“I’m only doing this for the food.”
Marlo and Marigold
Owner: Kristen
Favorite Treats: Bananas, Frozen Blueberries, Yogurt, Eggs, and Salmon
“[Marlo] sneaks the food from the pantry.”
Grover
Owner: Pete
Favorite Treat: Morning Yogurt with Pete
“Every morning when I open up the yogurt lid for my own breakfast, he’ll come and patiently line up for his serving, about a teaspoon’s worth. Then we have our little moment, eating our yogurt together. It’s a very enjoyable little ritual for both of us, I think.”