Samuel Morris Hall

Philip Simmons, born on Daniel's Island, South Carolina, on June 9, 1912, became a distinguished ornamental ironworker and a 1982 NEA National Heritage Fellow. His journey into metalworking began at the age of 13 when he apprenticed under Peter Simmons in Charleston. Peter, born a slave in 1855, had inherited the trade from his father, Guy Simmons. Philip was drawn to the craft by the visual and auditory elements of the blacksmith's shop, specifically the sparks, fire, and the ringing of the hammer, which fueled his passion for the work. By 1930, Philip transitioned into a full-fledged blacksmith. An illness experienced by Peter left Philip responsible for the shop. During this period, he undertook a significant project, repairing three large metal tubs for the Johnson Coal Company. This marked a substantial increase in his earnings, elevating his weekly income from $4.00 to $17.50, which was considered a significant sum at the time. In the late 1930s, Simmons began to shift his focus towards decorative wrought ironwork, although he continued to identify as a 'general blacksmith.' This meant he was proficient in various metalworking disciplines, including angle smithing, farriery, wheelwrighting, toolmaking, and ornamental ironwork. He asserted that the fundamental principles of shaping metal, whether for a leaf or a horseshoe, were similar, underscoring his versatility. Simmons's inaugural decorative piece in Charleston, located at 9 Stolls Alley, is a prime example of the city's traditional ornamental wrought iron style. This piece features an overthrow adorned with spear points and incorporates S and C scrolls, which are prominent motifs in Charleston's ironwork tradition. Since the 1940s, Simmons received numerous commissions for decorative ironwork, encompassing gates, fences, handrails, window grills, and balconies. His work characteristically blended historical aesthetic elements with practical functional requirements. He emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency with existing architectural styles to ensure the coherence and aesthetic integrity of his additions. In some of his projects, Simmons incorporated sculptural motifs. Notable examples include his 'snake gate,' designed to evoke lifelike qualities through the inclusion of eyes, and the 'star and fish gate,' created in 1976 for the Smithsonian Institution. The latter was crafted from multiple curved iron pieces to convey the illusion of movement, as if swimming. These bespoke gates were client-requested, necessitating Simmons to employ his imaginative skills to realize their vision. In 1991, his admirers established the Philip Simmons Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and maintaining a garden that commemorates his work on the grounds of his church, St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church, in downtown Charleston. His works are also part of the collections of prestigious institutions such as the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution; the International Museum of Folk Art, Santa Fe; the Richland County Public Library, Columbia, South Carolina; and the Atlanta History Center, Atlanta, Georgia, showcasing his significant contribution to American folk art and craftsmanship. #PhilipSimmons #OrnamentalIronwork #Blacksmith #Charleston #NationalHeritageFellow #FolkArt #Metalworking #HistoricalCraft #SculpturalMotifs

Gerig Hall, originally known as South Hall, was renamed in 1986 and serves as a four-story residence hall accommodating approximately 100 students at Taylor University. It is now adjoined with Breuninger Hall, creating a larger residential complex. The first floor of Gerig Hall is equipped with a common lounge area, a kitchen, and a welcoming lobby, providing communal spaces for residents. The hall's living arrangements are divided by gender, with women residing on the second and third floors, while men occupy the fourth floor. Gerig Hall is characterized by its small, close-knit community atmosphere, which is fostered by its unique open suite layout. Each floor features five distinct living areas, and each of these areas is surrounded by three or four individual rooms. This design promotes interaction and a sense of community among students. A notable architectural feature of the hall is its two large, winding central stairwells. These stairwells have been discovered by students to offer exceptional acoustics, making them a popular spot for hall-wide worship gatherings, where voices blend and are magnified, creating a special auditory experience. The residence hall is known for its family-style environment, encouraging frequent family-dinner type events that bring residents together. In addition to social gatherings, students in Gerig Hall often participate in recreational activities such as Ultimate Frisbee games, further contributing to the hall's vibrant and communal spirit. The article also provides links to practical information for residents, including furniture dimensions, furniture configuration options, and specific room measurements for Gerig Hall. These resources are valuable for students planning their living spaces. Furthermore, the article offers an embedded YouTube video providing a virtual tour of Gerig Hall, allowing prospective or current students to visualize the living spaces and common areas. The tour highlights the suite-style living arrangements and the division of floors for women and men. The content emphasizes the opportunity for residents to 'Make Friends, Create Memories' within the hall. It also lists key contacts for Residence Life within Gerig Hall, including Olivia Bloom, the Hall Director for both Gerig and Breuninger Halls, providing a direct point of contact for student support and inquiries. This comprehensive overview of Gerig Hall underscores its role as a supportive and engaging living environment for students at Taylor University. #GerigHall #ResidenceLife #TaylorUniversity #StudentHousing #CampusLife #HallCommunity #CollegeDorms

Bellarmine Hall, a key residence hall at Seattle University, accommodates approximately 400 students and features various amenities designed to support student life and academic success. The hall provides a range of room types, including traditional double rooms, larger double rooms, triple plus rooms, and single rooms, catering to different student preferences and needs. Each room is fully furnished with essential items such as a bed and mattress, desk and chair, wardrobe, shelving, a sink, and a MicroFridge (combining a microwave and mini-fridge). Additionally, all rooms are equipped with both wired and wireless internet access and phone capabilities. The residence hall offers comprehensive facilities to enhance the living experience. Student lounges are available on each floor, providing communal spaces for relaxation and interaction. The lower level includes a shared kitchen, an education center with a computer lab, study lounges, and private study rooms. Off the main lobby, students can access the Bellarmine Advising Center, which offers academic advising and student support programs, and the Student Health Center, providing convenient health services. Beyond individual rooms, Bellarmine Hall boasts a suite of communal amenities. These include wireless internet throughout the building, a community kitchen, a laundry room, and a large outdoor patio. For academic and recreational needs, there's an educational center with a computer lab and presentation space, a large-screen TV room, and equipment checkout services for games and recreation. Practical services such as vacuum and cart availability, room lockout assistance, mailboxes with package notifications, and lost and found services are also provided at the front desk. All utilities, including electricity, heat, water, sewer, compost, recycling, and trash, are included in the housing rates. A unique aspect of Bellarmine Hall is the presence of Jesuits in Residence on most floors. These individuals, who are members of the Jesuit community at Seattle University, serve as a resource for advising, counseling, conflict resolution, and general support. Their role is complemented by a Residential Minister, who lives within the community and is responsible for fostering pastoral care for students and staff, working in collaboration with Jesuits in Residence, Residence Hall Directors, Resident Assistants, and Campus Ministry staff. The article also provides detailed furniture dimensions for items like beds, wardrobes, and desks, assisting students in planning their living space. It outlines various housing policies, including those related to service animals, gender-inclusive housing, summer housing, and disability accommodations, along with important dates and a frequently asked questions section. Contact information for the Bellarmine Front Desk, including phone numbers, email, and detailed operating hours for different academic quarters and breaks, is also provided. The article concludes by listing other residence halls and useful links for housing applications, financial services, and the student health center. #BellarmineHall #SeattleUniversity #StudentHousing #ResidenceLife #CampusAmenities #StudentSupport #JesuitEducation #RoomFeatures