Emporia State University continues to infuse the past with the present through renovations at Abigail Morse Hall.
KVOE News was part of a contingent that was given access to the extensive renovations inside Abigail Morse Hall during a special tour Thursday afternoon. Renovations are nearing completion with student living quarters very nearly complete according to ESU Residence Life Director Cass Coughlin.
The interior of the res hall has several pieces of the original Abigail Morse Hall incorporated throughout it as part of the decor. Coughlin says it was important to ESU to be able to tell the story of the nearly 100-year-old building, and first residence hall on ESU’s campus, from a visual perspective.
Original plans were to have students moving into Abigail Morse by this weekend, however, Coughlin says based on the latest review which took place Thursday, that will not be possible at this time. The next scheduled review is on Monday and it is Coughlin’s hope they will be given the all-clear and have students inside by next weekend.
Coughlin acknowledges there were some setbacks with the project due to both inclement weather conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic. However; he says while they were not able to meet their original deadlines, Coughlin is still proud of the work that is being done saying they are more concerned with the quality of the final product than the speed in which it is completed.
Abigail Morse can accommodate up to 104 students, however, actual occupancy will likely be in the mid-70s this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Photos by Tagan Trahoon/KVOE News
{gallery}082720 Abigail Morse Hall Tour{/gallery}
2019 Tour Photos by Chuck Samples/KVOE News
{gallery}083119 Abigail Morse Before{/gallery}
