Beginnings
"Our English trip confirmed in all of us the conviction that there should be one mind in control of the master plan and the first several buildings. This is Thom's way of working, too, and we must accept it if we want an outstanding set of buildings..." Denis Smith, September 30, [1963]
Significant Correspondence
5 December 1957:
Reginald Faryon letter to the Peterborough Examiner advising them to spend the gas money on a Junior College for Peterborough
14
June 1963:
Trent University Bursar, J.F. Brook, to Ron Thom, regarding Thom's appointment
as Master Planning Architect
11
October 1963:
Ron Thom to J.F. Brook, outlining his specific duties as Master Planning Architect
11
October 1963:
Ron Thom to Thomas H.B. Symons, requesting permission to visit universities
in New England
2
December 1963:
Thomas H.B. Symons to Ron Thom, suggesting that Thom visit specific buildings
in Peterborough to examine how local stone had been used in their construction
9
December 1963:
Ron Thom to Thomas H.B. Symons, informing him that the University may be able
to use electricity for heating and air conditioning
The
Downtown Campus:
Renovations & Furnishings by Ron Thom
As Master Planning Architect for Trent University, Ron Thom was responsible not only for new construction on the Nassau Campus, but also for renovations and furnishings of some of the newly acquired Trent properties in the city core. The downtown sites included Rubidge Hall, Peter Robinson College, and Catharine Parr Traill College.
The Newly Acquired Properties in the City Core, c.1964
Scott House
300 Stewart Street
Catharine Parr Traill College
Sadleir House
751 George Street
Peter Robinson College
Rubidge Hall
(formerly South Central School)
270 Rubidge Street
Excerpts from a news release announcing the establishment of two town colleges, 25 January, 1964.
TRENT UNIVERSITY ESTABLISHES TWO TOWN COLLEGES
President T.H.B. Symons announced today the establishment of two residential colleges in the City of Peterborough, both of them to open in September, 1964, for members of the University's first undergraduate class. The University, he said, had purchased two large homes, one at 751 George Street, the other at 300 London Street, which would become the first colleges of the University.
The first college for men will be at 751 George Street, and will be known as Peter Robinson House, in honour of the leader of the first major immigration to the district in the 1820's. The first college for women will be known as Catharine Parr Traill House, in memory of the noted early settler and literary figure, Mrs. Traill...
The President said that the capital cost of Peter Robinson House and Catharine Parr Traill House, including purchase, renovation and furnishing, was considerably lower than the cost of providing similar facilities in new buildings.
The President noted that the two city colleges will be permanent parts of the University. While the University expects to proceed as quickly as possible with its building programme at Nassau, there will always be a substantial need for residential accommodation and college facilities beyond what will be available in the colleges at campus...
Excerpts from a news release announcing the naming of Rubidge Hall, 28 January, 1964.
TRENT UNIVERSITY NAMES FIRST BUILDING RUBIDGE HALL
Trent University has chosen the name Rubidge Hall for the South Central School property located in downtown Peterborough which it purchased from the Peterborough Board of Education last month. In announcing the University's decision, President Symons said the name had been chosen in honour of the Peterborough pioneer, Captain Charles Rubidge...
Rubidge Hall was built in 1875, two years after Captain Rubidge died.
Rubidge Hall
renovations, 1964
Photo credit: Nick Yunge-Bateman
Catharine Parr Traill College
Wallis Hall construction, 1967
Photo credit: Parks' Peterborough
Architectural
Drawings of Furniture
for the Downtown Colleges Prepared by Thom and Associates
An Example of a Chair Chosen for Rubidge Hall
The Hans Wegner Beech Side Chair was chosen for the Registrar's office and waiting room at Rubidge Hall.
Hans Wegner
(1914- )Side chair, natural beech, cord seat. Wegner is a central figure between Klint and Jacobsen and designed furniture of extraordinary appeal and faultless design.
Photo credit: Bernadine Dodge
