Minthorn Hall: Timeless Symbol on a Changing Campus
Submitted by Madeline Grace Teeter
Standing at the heart of George Fox University's (GFU) campus and embraced by a grove of trees is Minthorn Hall, a lasting reminder of the school’s past. This historic structure is home to the GFU English department, connecting professors and students to the present and the past.
Upon entering Minthorn, visitors were greeted by a narrow, creaking staircase with vibrant orange-and-green 1980s-style carpeting underfoot. The classrooms evoked memories of the 1940s or 1950s, furnished with orange and navy chairs connected to desks that barely accommodated notebooks, laptops, and textbooks. Despite its quirks, Minthorn exuded charm, offering a welcoming atmosphere.
For years, rumors circulated about the building’s eventual closure. Each semester brought uncertainty, with speculation that it might be the last. When the decision to vacate Minthorn finally came, reactions were mixed—some mourned the loss, while others embraced the possibilities it signaled for the English department’s future.
“I was pretty disappointed,” said Claire Ahlem, a junior English major. She particularly lamented the closure of Minthorn 300, a space renovated for the English community just a year prior. “We put all this effort into making [Minthorn] a good community space. It was pretty lively—you could almost always find someone studying in Minthorn 300.”
Emmy King, a senior English major, recalled similar mixed emotions. “[Jessica Hughes] was really excited about it, but I was pretty bummed,” she said, referring to the department chair’s optimism about finding a new home for the program.
Other students expressed their fondness for the aged building. “I love old buildings. I really liked [Minthorn]; it was cozy,” said Clara Lind, another senior in the program.
“I had found a place on campus that felt like a second home,” said Skyler Hamman, a junior. She noted that Minthorn felt more like home than her dorm room.
Many students and faculty felt a connection to GFU’s history through Minthorn. “A lot of George Fox has become modernized. [Minthorn] is all that’s left,” King said. “It reminds me of George Fox’s history.”
Minthorn Hall is GFU’s oldest building and the last remaining first-generation structure. Built in 1885 as a dormitory and gymnasium for Friends Pacific Academy—GFU’s predecessor—it holds historical significance. The university proudly notes that Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States, attended the academy. Though it is unclear whether Hoover lived in Minthorn, the building bears the name of his aunt and uncle, Laura and John Minthorn.
In 1892, Minthorn was rolled across logs for ten blocks to its current location. Originally constructed with two stories, a third floor was added during its relocation. Over the years, it transitioned from a boys’ dormitory and gymnasium to a girls’ dormitory in 1939, and later, in 1962, into offices and classrooms.
Minthorn was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. The register describes it as “the sole physical link tying together this entire academic history from infant Friends Pacific Academy to thriving George Fox University.”
Despite its rich history, GFU deemed the cost of restoring Minthorn too high, leading to its closure. For some, like Professor Melanie Mock, the change was deeply personal. Mock, who occupied an office in Minthorn for two decades, said, “My initial response was deep sadness. That office had previously belonged to my mentor, so it held emotional and nostalgic value for me.”
For students like King, Minthorn represented more than just a building. “I became an English major in Minthorn. … That’s where I really started to feel like myself. It’s where I first felt seen and appreciated on campus.”
While the closure of Minthorn saddened many, some embraced the department’s move to Armstrong Hall, its new home. Jessica Hughes, chair of the Department of Language and Literature, shared her enthusiasm for the transition. “This has been a step up for the department,” Hughes said, noting that Armstrong is the first building dedicated solely to the English program.
Armstrong’s location has also drawn criticism. “I don’t like that I have to walk all the way across campus,” Mock said, referring to its position near the west end of campus compared to Minthorn’s central placement. Downsizing office spaces has also been a challenge for some faculty.
Despite these drawbacks, many have expressed appreciation for Armstrong. “I think Armstrong has been really good for us,” Ahlem said. “I spend more time here than in Minthorn. The energy we’ve been able to bring to this place has been really wonderful.”
Hamman echoed this sentiment, saying, “Because we have this space, it does not feel like a step down. It feels like a new chapter.”
Looking ahead, students and faculty hope Minthorn will find a meaningful new purpose. “I hope [Minthorn is] reopened as classrooms or made into a museum,” King said, adding that while she is fine with it being used for events like haunted houses, she does not want that to be its sole function.
As GFU’s English department embraces its new home, the hope is to honor the rich history of Minthorn while looking forward to a bright future.