Doane University History, 1014 Boswell Avenue, Crete, NE (2026)

The University preserves important historical records, photos, and three-dimensional objects significant to the school's history. Doane University has a rather extensive collection of historical materials housed within Perkins Library. University founders and early administrators were diligent in their preservation of important documents, photographs, and even some artifacts. Doane University an

d the city of Crete literally grew up together. The town was incorporated in 1871 and Doane University (then College) was incorporated in 1872. Thomas Doane, and his group of cultivated New England Congregationalists, joined Crete’s early settlers and together the town and college founders worked to ensure that economic and social advantages came to the city. Several documents in the archival collection related to Doane personalities also touch on Crete history since many of the community leaders were involved in both town and gown. For more than 100 years, important Doane University records were stored in the business office and library. Miraculously, most of these documents were not housed in Merrill Hall at the time of the 1969 fire. Over the years, Doane librarians and business managers have assured that the college records were well-taken care of. In 1976, library director Peggy Brooks Smith took the charge a step further when she created an archival practicum class. This course gives students the opportunity to work directly with the historical collections. Students help organize items and create users tools. In 1979, a formal written archival policy was put in place and space in Perkins Library was allocated for archival storage. Diffendahl, then Nebraska State Archivist, who assisted in all aspects of organization. A catalog of record groups was established and dedicated was established for the collections. At the present time, there is not a complete digitized index itemizing available archival holdings, however some digitalization is in progress. Inquiries about Doane University history should be directed to university historian Janet Jeffries, at [email protected].

07/13/2025

Happy Birthday Doane University! 🎂 🥳
Established on July 11, 1872, this institution has grown from its humble beginnings on the Nebraska prairie to become the state's oldest private university. Here's to the enduring legacy of the Tigers and the bright future ahead. 🐾🎓

02/25/2025

In Memory …
Merrill Hall (1879-1969)
Friday, February 28, will mark 56 years since, Doane's "Old Main," Merrill Hall, was destroyed by fire. This building was a landmark – often called the “crown on the college hilltop,” and the site that people most identified as “Doane.” The tragic fire began at 3:07 a.m., and the building was lost in approximately 90 minutes. The first building on hilltop campus, Merrill was home to administrative and faculty offices, classrooms, the mail room, campus print shop, and even male student housing. The building is memorialized by Merrill Tower that now houses a bell with similar tone as the original. Fragments of the old bell have been preserved. Its charred frame is mounted at the base of the tower, and a fragment of the bell itself is displayed in Perkins Library.

The building was named for Rev. O.W. Merrill a member of the General Association for Congregational Churches. Merrill Hall (1879) and another campus building, Ga***rd Hall (1884), were both designed by the prominent Boston architectural firm, Cabot and Chandler. This New England firm found its way to the Nebraska prairie after being hired by college founder Thomas Doane, who was also from Boston. Cabot and Chandler was a renowned, highly respected east coast design team. The partners were Edward Clark Cabot (1818-1901) and Francis Ward Chandler (1844-1925) who practiced together from until 1888 when Chandler left to lead the architectural department at the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) M.I.T, a private research university in Cambridge, was the first school to offer an architecture curriculum. Cabot was a charter member and later a Fellow of the distinguished American Institute of Architects (A.I.A) the largest and most influential network of architectural and design professionals. Founded in 1857, this 158- year-old organization boasts more than 200 chapters and sets the industry standard for practice.

Ga***rd Hall is listed in the National Register of Historic Places along with Boswell Observatory and Whitcomb Conservatory/Lee Memorial Chapel. Merrill would have joined these buildings in the historic district had it been extant in 1977 when the nomination was prepared.

02/28/2024

It has now been 55 years since we lost Merrill Hall to a raging fire!

09/20/2023

Founders Day!
Today, September 20, 2023, is Thomas Doane’s 202nd birthday! For many years, his birthday was celebrated on campus as “Founders Day,” with a program that included guest speakers, memory sharing, and special campus activities. Then President Edwin Dean created the Founders Day celebration in 1933 to ease the tension of the Great Depression, and remind students, faculty, staff, and the Crete townspeople about the rich tradition of our college/university. On this first Founders Day, guests toured Boswell Observatory to see the special surveying equipment Doane had made for his extraordinary work on the Hoosac Tunnel. Founders Day became an annual event, and continued for many years. Below are remarks from the first Founders Day event that show the great respect and fondness fellow railroad officials had for Thomas Doane and his legacy.

Founders Day, September 20, 1933
Doane College, Crete, Nebraska
“There was one peculiarity of Mr. Doane’s administration - and I always found it true in the whole system of the B.M. R.R. Every department desired to cooperate with the other, and each employee seemed anxious to assist every other employee….. He could not see why railroading could not be carried out with decency, nor why an employer or employee could not retain his respect.”
Danforth H. Ainsworth
Locating civil engineer U.P. and B.M.R.R.

“We of the modern Burlington are inspired by the impression left by Thomas Doane on our road and take just pride in the college that bears his name, the influence of which is so far-reaching and uplifting. For up–to-date thinking, strength of character, and real achievement, the student of today in these halls may well emulate Thomas Doane.”
F.T. Darrow
Assistant Chief Engineer, C.B. & Q.
Lincoln, Nebraska

07/11/2023

Happy birthday Doane University! July 11, 1872- July 11, 2023. Last year, we celebrated our special 150th anniversary milestone! Over this past year, much progressive activity has happened on all fronts including the construction of two new buildings. The University is building a new residence hall to replace the Quads, and also a new president’s house. The residence hall is slated to open in early 2024, while the presidents house should be ready for occupancy this fall.

07/11/2022

150 Years!! July 11, 1872- July 11, 2022
Doane University is celebrating a special milestone birthday today! Please take a moment and reflect on the University’s importance to all of the people whose lives were shaped on this campus. We are also thankful for Doane’s strong presence in the Crete community. The University is just one year younger than our town, and the two entities virtually grew to maturity together. Doane has a rich and interesting history beginning with our connections to railroad building in Nebraska, and also to early Congregational Church expansion in the state. Blessed with forward-thinking leaders over the years, the school continues to thrive! Read more about Doane’s history in “A College on a Hill,” by the late Dr Donald Ziegler.

Address

1014 Boswell Avenue
Crete, NE
68333

Website

http://www.doane.edu/

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