Dates: Built in 1836-37. Remodeled in 1860, 1884, 1941, 1959, 1998. Robert Hall Morrison, the first president of Davidson, lived in this house. The second president, Samuel Williamson, also lived there, until a new one called Louisiana was constructed in 1850. Davidson College presidents lived in Louisiana until 1887, when William J. Martin, who was living in the original President's house as a faculty member, was elected president of the college. Since that time, this residence has been the home of the college president.
Quote: There was a good deal of sentiment (or lack of it) amongst the trustees that the old house should be razed and a more elaborate one be erected for President F. Grier Martin. This, however, was not the wish of President Martin or his family and the Morrison house underwent a face-lifting which hopefully has preserved it as a permanent heritage. The remodelling was done in 1959 with careful attention to the architectural style of the 1830’s in this region and of the old Quadrangle of which it was originally a part. The most conspicuous changes were the addition of the neo-classic portico, a new roof, and the one-story wing in order to enlarge the living, or reception room. For the first time in its long history, the old house was appropriate to meet the needs and responsibilities of the Presidency of Davidson College.
- Chalmers Davidson. Plantation World Around Davidson. Davidson: Mecklenburg Historical Association, 1969, p. 10.
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