For more than five years, the Georgia Museum of Art has participated in a program that allows different units and departments to sponsor a mock dorm room on campus. These rooms, which incoming residents have a chance to tour all summer, are a great way to show students what to expect on move-in day as well as to showcase different opportunities on campus. Last summer, over 4,000 visitors toured these model rooms in 14 halls.
This year, the decoration process was a little more notable for two museum staff members who took on the task in Hill Hall, as they both lived there as students (in 1975 and 2012). According to the pair, not much has changed in the building overlooking Legion Pool since they called Hill their home. Aside from the lack of landline phone and a slightly sturdier bedframe, it felt like walking into the past. As the staging process continued, stories were exchanged about those very halls. Roommates falling asleep with music playing, dads grouchily lofting beds in the August heat and pranks among hallmates (“hillmates”) were fondly remembered.
This annual project has become one that the museum staff looks forward to each summer, as it is a great way to spread awareness of the museum to new University of Georgia students, as well as to use some creativity in the process. “My year in Hill was so fun and exciting,” said one staff member. “And I truly hope that the new group of students moving in create as many memories as we did to think back on 5, 10 or even 45 years later and smile.”
Students and parents can tour residence halls beginning June 1; halls available to see are Building 1516, Creswell Hall, Hill Hall, Mary Lyndon Hall, Myers Hall, Rutherford Hall, Morris Hall, Oglethorpe House, Payne Hall, Reed Hall, Rooker Hall, Russell Hall and University Village. The museum is open regular hours this summer, and admission is always free to all.
Authored by:
Taylor Lear
