The president's home at William Jewell College, at the corner of Mississippi and Jewell Streets in Liberty, was built in 1904-05 as a result of the efforts of A.D. Brown, head of the Brown Shoe Company of St. Louis. Brown, a deacon in the Third Baptist Church in St. Louis, was a long-time admirer of the college president, Dr. John Preist Greene, and the businessman saw the advantages of providing an elegant home, suitable for the presidential family to entertain faculty, students, trustees and friends. (The college was a men's school at the time. The school did not become coeducational until 1921.) Brown agreed to pay for the building if the trustees would provide $15,000 for furnishing the home. Trustees accepted and construction of the large brick residence was completed in 1905. Dr. Greene lived there with his family through 1923. Later college presidents, Dr. Harry Clifford Wayman and Dr. John F. Herget, lived there from 1923-1928 and 1928-1942, respectively. For several years thereafter the home was used as a women's dormitory. About 600 Navy students were accommodated in other residence halls during the period. Dr. Walter Pope Binns lived in the newly renovated and remodeled president's home from 1949-1962. Dr. Guy Moore lived there from 1962-1968 and Dr. Thomas Field from 1970-1980.This fall the stately old home has a new occupant. In week-long ceremonies the college is celebrating the inauguration of its 12th president, Dr. J. Gordon Kingsley. The post card, published by W.C. Mitchell and Son, Liberty, was made in Germany. It was mailed from Kansas City in July 1908. Kansas City Times, September 12, 1980
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