McGuffey Hall

McGuffey Hall is a university building at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, designed in the Georgian architectural style with symmetrical wings and classic proportions. The structure features red brick walls and white trim details that exemplify the formal aesthetic of its architectural period.

Construction began in 1909 as the South Pavilion of Ohio State Normal College and expanded with additional wings in 1915, 1916, and 1925. The building underwent fireproofing renovations in 1939 and received modernization work in the north and south wings during the 1960s and 1970s.

The building honors William Holmes McGuffey, whose textbooks shaped how millions of American students learned to read and write during the 1800s. Visitors can see how this educator's legacy remains embedded in the campus through this structure that bears his name.

The main entrance faces the eastern side of the building with clear access paths across campus. Visitors should be aware that the structure remains actively used during class sessions, so entry corridors can be crowded during peak hours.

Architect Frank L. Packard applied mathematical ratios to window placement and room dimensions, following strict Georgian architectural principles. This precise planning remains visible in the building's harmonious proportions today.