THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 14. 1957 M atision Walker and Family Given Elbow Room The 92-year-old guest in November family moved to thi Dr. and Mrs. W and Brian, 9, are haj the first president of versity, Evan Pugh. The original house has been remodeled many time s, so that today it gives the appearance of a house of Southern co onial style —tall, columned portico. The high-ceilinged house con tains 17 rooms and 9 baths. The formal living room, used primar ily for the entertainment of large groups, is to the left of the en trance hall. The Walkers say they spend most of their time in the study, —a room with a casual aca demic atmosphere—a solid wall of bookshelves, fireplace, large leather chairs and a mahogany desk. The nine bedrooms are located on both the second and third floors. However, the Walkers con verted a few of these rooms into lounges, a sewing room and a recreation room. Before moving into the Presi dent’s Residence, the family lived in a modern, ranch-style home on W. Park Ave. It * is designed by Dr. and Mrs. Walker with the help of an architect from the University. Since November, the campus residence has afforded Brian, Gail and dog Gus, a German Shepherd, plenty of elbow room. Gail is a freshman at the State College High School and Brian is in fourth grade. Mrs. Walker, once a fashion de signer, immediately claimed the walls for her still life oil paintings and copperwork examples of the “first lady of the Univers ity’s” favorite pastimes. One room, however. Dr. Walker has reserved for him self. That is his den on the sec ond floor where there is an impressive collection, 14 to be exact, of certificates and awards he has received. Today he will have a new addition—an honor ary Doctor of Laws degree pre sented by Temple University. With each new resident the house has captured a touch of the. family personality—particu larly in 1908 when Mrs. Edwin Erie Sparks paid $lO a roll for silver wallpaper. This indicated a sharp change in style from the THE FORMAL living room, the largest room in the house, was at one time three rooms. It con tains gold curtains, a soft green carpet and two mirrored fireplaces. The Walkers' use the living zoom primarily for the entertainment of large groups. ory by Judy Harkison hotos by Dave Bavar President’s Residence welcomed its 12th j ,vhen President Eric A. Walker and his : traditional campus home, alker, and their two children, Gail, 14, pily settled in the house built in 1863 by the Uni- dark tones of the Victorian period to the lighter colors of the early j 1900’s. - I Following this trend the in terior and exterior woodwork was painted while, retaining happily the original broad boards and window sills to be seen in the house today. The following paragraph ap- 1 peared in a 1950 College maga-, zine: , “With dignity this 85-year-oldl house, so rich in memories, marks time. Its history is indelibly: linked with that of the Old Main, of the past and the present and with Evan Pugh, Penn State’s first president, through whose efforts the buildings were brought to completion. With the excep tion of Evan Pugh, all presidents have trod the path so significantly, connecting the two • buildings. With them have walked many! State officials seriously ponder-j ing the welfare of the TJnivers-! i BRIAN, 9, and pal Gus often play together in front of the fireplace in the Walkers' study. Here it seems Brian is trying to teach Gus to read, however Gus' interest is elsewhere. THE DAILY COLLEGIAN Sees THE STUDY, the favorite room of the family, and "the most livable," says Mrs. Walker. Gus, an 11-month-old German Shepherd, also enjoys the sophisticated academic atmosphere. The room con tains red curtains and a large white fireplace with a mirror extending to the ceiling. The china mugs on the shelves were gathered from all parts of the world. STATE COLLEGE. PENNSYLVANIA th President GAIL, 14, selected a third floor bedroom, one of the largest bed rooms of the house. Here she is talking to a friend on the telephone —a typical activity. Her mother says. Gail is a music fan, and collects recordings of show tunes. ~~ A CORNER of the master bedroom, showing the contrast of beige and green colors. At the left is a built-in dressing table, with t picture of Dr. Walker on the top. <*gj ss gg Hi n s 4 i r* til ii ImXp l\?l t >m ; i • .11 life v -t Bfc>r *.. * i ' l H i _ ■ PAGE FIVE m m 1
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers