Campus House, a history

Campus House may be one of the oldest buildings on campus, but few students know about its function or past. Located at the center of campus, Campus House has been home to various occupants throughout its history.

According to Associate Professor Mark Johns, Campus House was built in 1867 as a joint effort by three area churches, the home was purchased by the newly founded Luther College to function as a parsonage for its first campus pastor, Nils O. Brandt.

Here, Brandt and his wife made their home and office while he served in campus ministries and taught various courses within the college.

Mrs. Brandt was a very social, hospitable woman, often hosting students in her home for dinner and Sunday tea. Brandt Hall was named for Mrs. Brandt in recognition of her care for Luther students.

After the Brandts left Luther, the home was converted into student housing. For a period of time, it was the French House, housing students studying French.

After a large remodel was done to the building in 1972, Luther’s seventh and eighth college Presidents, H. George Anderson and Jeffery Baker, held their offices in Campus House.

Wishing to have more contact with students and the admissions office, President Baker relocated his office to the newly renovated Dahl Centennial Union in the late 1990s. The Publication and Public Information offices were located on the upper levels of Campus House but have since moved into the Union.

Today, the communication department occupies the main level of Campus House. A main lobby is located in the Brandts’ original living room. A dividing wall was built in the dining room during the 1972 remodeling, creating the offices Professors Mark Johns and Derek Sweet now occupy.

The office of Professor Kim Powell is located in what was the Presidents’ office during their time in Campus House, which was originally a library and sitting room for Pastor Brandt. Professor Sook-Young Lee’s office is located in what was originally the kitchen of Campus House. The kitchen was built as an add-on to the original house and features its own entrance from the rear of the building.

Although the building includes a basement, this area is unfinished and not extensively used. Featuring a rough brick floor and a coal bin that is no longer in use, water will occasionally leak into the basement during periods of heavy rain.

The second floor houses the headquarters of Celebration Iowa, a music oriented program that works to promote interest in Luther among high school musicians.

Located on the third floor is the office of the Center for Ethics and Public Life. Political science Professor John Moeller is coordinator of this program, which works to bring speakers and programs to campus to promote and explore topics of ethical interest.

While the interior highlights of Campus House have undergone numerous changes throughout the past 150 years, the building’s exterior remains mostly unchanged. The front of the building features a wide, cement porch, remnant of Mrs. Brandt’s social gatherings.

Throughout its rich and varied history, Campus House has retained a welcoming feel and become a familiar campus icon.