Pictured: Ranger Hall PHOTO CREDIT: Maddie Bataille | Photo Editor
Currently standing as the home for the Harrington School of Communication and Media, Ranger Hall holds a deep history as one of the University of Rhode Island’s oldest buildings.
The historic stone exterior of the building can be seen by students and faculty walking across the Quadrangle.
Ranger Hall was a part of the 2017 induction of URI’s quad and surrounding buildings into the National Register of Historic Places. It was the 7th, in order of the year of completion, to be inducted.
The construction of Ranger Hall was completed and the building was opened in 1913. The building was originally used as the science hall, holding classes in biology, botany, bacteriology, math, physics and more according to the University of Rhode Island Detailed History webpage in the section dedicated to 1888-1930.
Today, students can be found in the recently renovated video-editing suites, media and film labs or active-learning classrooms. The renovations cost the University nearly $15 million, and the first-floor renovation was completed in 2015 followed by the remaining interior floors in 2022.
Catherine DeCesare, assistant professor of applied history, has also worked as an archivist. In 2017, she had students use the archival records to research the history of Ranger Hall when celebrating URI’s 125th anniversary.
“University archives is one big collection,” DeCesare said. “In order to make it usable for the community or for researchers, you need to organize it and arrange it and describe it.”
The University of Rhode Island began as the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1892 before changing its name to Rhode Island State College in 1909. This name lasted until 1951, when the name was changed to its present title: University of Rhode Island.
URI’s interactive historical timeline shows a comprehensive history of the University and has collected information about Dr. Walter E. Ranger and his contribution to URI:
“In 1909, the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts changed its name to Rhode Island State College. The change was made at the suggestion of a study commission that explored the impact of the College on the local community and the state of Rhode Island. Dr. Walter E. Ranger served as head of the commission, and his contribution to the College was recognized when Ranger Hall was built and named in his honor in 1913.”
The archives included founding information about the Hall, such as its namesake: Dr. Walter E. Ranger, who served as the president of the board of managers during the period of time when URI was under the name Rhode Island State College (1909-1951).
“He [was] a pro-supporter of the college and the campus,” DeCesare said. “He [promoted] the change of the college name to Rhode Island State College.”
Ranger’s contribution to the college alongside President Howard Edwards, who served from 1906-1930, was key to the construction of Ranger Hall. They eventually gained funding for the building in 1912, and the construction was completed the following year.
Robert Hehn, a graduate film student from Plainville, Massachusetts, spends most of his time during his film studies in Ranger Hall.
“[Ranger Hall] brings an opportunity for film students to create a community,” Hehn said. “You’re working with people who have studied and perfected their craft. [Ranger] has become a hub for people to meet up and work on projects.”
Hehn appreciates the renovations and frequents the newly-updated video editing suites to complete projects and student-made films.
“Without the editing suites, it would be difficult for people to get finely cut projects or have such cooperative projects,” Hehn said. “The editing suites are necessary for this film program to flourish.”
The hub for The Harrington School of Communication and the Media Equipment Center will continue to serve students with new and updated technology as the years continue.