Peabody Hall – UGA 42 (1913, Category 2). Funds to construct George Peabody Hall, a building designed to house the School of Education, were provided from the estate of George Peabody, a New England merchant who made a fortune in transatlantic trade. Peabody was a strong financial supporter of the University, working in close collaboration with Chancellor Hill to transform the institution from 1902 onward. In his will, Peabody directed his estate be distributed over time to promote public education in the South.
The admission of women to the University in 1918 led to rapid growth in the education school’s enrollment, and the program quickly outgrew the space available in Peabody Hall. The Departments of Philosophy and Religion moved into the building after the School of Education found larger accommodations.
Peabody Hall is prominently located on the east side of South Quadrangle opposite Hirsch Hall. The two-story brick building is relatively unadorned, with architectural expression achieved through variations in the surface planes of the brick walls and partially embedded Ionic limestone columns that provide relief on the principal facade. There are relatively large windows that provide light to the interior spaces. The building also features a wood cornice with a brick parapet above that has a metal cap.
The building is in good condition. Cement washes have been installed on horizontal brick surfaces, including window sills, to help shed water. The building appears to retain its original one-over-one wood double-hung windows, which have been fitted with exterior storm windows with screens. The building retains historic integrity and appears to contribute to a National Register-eligible historic district. It is assessed as a Category 2 resource.
