Haven Hall

The Rebirth of Haven Hall

The outside view of Haven Hall. need photo source.

by Isabel Yeo

Flames brought down the original Haven Hall on June 6, 1950. It was first built in 1863 as the "new" home for the Law School, the University Chapel, and the General Library; however, as the University of Michigan grew, the Law School was soon relocated and Haven Hall became a hub for UM's College of Literature Science and the Arts (LSA) ("Law"). As a current LSA student, I have already had a few classes within Haven Hall, and have spent numerous hours in the overall building, which is connected (sometimes with maze-like halls) to Angel, Mason, and Tisch, with the “Fishbowl” computer hub in their center in an atrium-like room between them all.

Haven Hall has gone through multiple reconstructions and demolitions. The first major remodeling was done in 1898 to contain all of the Law School’s classrooms ("Law"). Haven Hall was completely burned down in 1950 by a graduate student, destroying the priceless work of professors and thousands of books. “Flames ruined 500 rare anti-slavery pamphlets, along with 600 photographs and negatives documenting antebellum life,” with everything having to be recopied and the loss of thousands of hours of work (Clarke). Shortly thereafter, he was put on trial and sentenced to six years and six months in prison, never again returning to the university (Clarke). The building was rebuilt and reopened in 1952.

The building is named after Erastus O. Haven, the second president of the University of Michigan, serving from 1863-1869 (“Erastus Otis Haven”). He was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1820, and attended Wesleyan University, graduating with a degree in the natural sciences. Despite his educational background, he became a professor of Latin at the University of Michigan, and later became the chair of English language, literature, and history prior to his presidency (“Erastus Otis Haven”). Haven then left UM and serves as the president of Northwestern University, as well as the chancellor of Syracuse University from 1874-1880 ("Chancellor").

In addition to his career in academics, Erastus O. Haven was a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church from 1880 to his death ("Chancellor"). He was also a minister and a leader of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was deeply involved during its period of vigorous growth and development ("Chancellor").

Portrait of Erastus O. Haven. need photo source.

The name Erastus is currently rare, with the last significant recorded usage in the U.S. in 1896 (“Erastus"). It means “beloved,” and is a latinized version of the Greek name “Erastos.” It has a biblical connotation, with it being mentioned twice in the New Testament (“Erastus"). However, the surname Haven is a decently popular surname, with 261,000 records appearing in Ancestry.com (“Haven Family History”). Haven means someone that lived by the harbor. It also has the connotation of safety and sanctuaries, like the phrase “a safe haven” (“Haven Family History).

As an academic building, Haven Hall is a central classroom space and is located in one of the UM’s most utilized buildings. It will continue to be used as a primarily academic hall, and it will have thousands of LSA students coming through its hallways.

Works Cited

“87-Year-Old Haven Hall Housed First Law Department,” Ann Arbor District Library. aadl.org, 7 June 1950, https://aadl.org/aa_news_19500607-87_year_old_haven_hall

“A Legacy of Leadership: The Chancellors and Presidents of Syracuse University,” Syracuse University Libraries. Digital Exhibits, 2023, https://digitalexhibits.syr.edu/chancellors/erastus-otis-haven/

"Chancellor Erastus O. Haven Papers.” Syracuse University Libraries Special Collections Research Center, Library.Syracuse.edu, 2023, https://library.syracuse.edu/digital/guides_sua/html/sua_haven_eo.htm

Clarke, Kim, “The Arsonist was a Scholar,” Heritage.umich.edu, 2023, https://heritage.umich.edu/stories/the-arsonist-was-a-scholar/

“Erastus.” Behind the Name, 2023, https://www.behindthename.com/name/erastus/related

“Erastus Otis Haven.” Famous Americans, 2000, http://famousamericans.net/erastusotishaven/

“Haven Family History.” Ancestry, 2023, https://www.ancestry.com/name-origin?surname=haven

Huszagh, Merikay. “Rev. Erastus Haven,” Geni, 29 October 2021, https://www.geni.com/people/Rev-Erastus-Haven/5520032995740132157

“Law Building (Old Haven Hall).” Bentley Historical Library. Bentley.umich.edu, 2023, https://bentley.umich.edu/legacy-support/campus_tour/oldhaven.php

Lawler, Ciara, “Erastus.” The Bump, 23 March 2023, https://www.thebump.com/b/erastus-baby-name

“University of Michigan - Demolition of Haven Hall.” Ann Arbor District Library. aadl.org, 2023, https://aadl.org/N035_0910_002

Whelehan, Avril. “Haven,” The Bump. 31 March 2023, https://www.thebump.com/b/haven-baby-name

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