Hofstra University Residence Halls Rendered an Important Part of Dutch History:

by: Giavanna Peppe

Hofstra University is known for its Dutch ancestry.

Founder William Hofstra, a second generation immigrant from the Netherlands, built Hofstra Hall in 1903 for him and his wife Kate.

After dying in 1932, Williams widow Kate stipulated in her will that Hofstra Hall be used to honor her husbands memory. She requested that the land be used for a charitable, scientific or humanitarian purpose, and to be named after William.

Established in 1935 Hofstra University illustrated its Dutch history in various locations on campus in an effort to exemplify it's Dutch backgrounds significance.

Even after more than 70 years, Hofstra still reflects its dutch heritage.

The Netherlands Residence Halls at Hofstra is home to about 600 first-year students and withholds a great amount of Dutch History throughout each of the 11 buildings in the complex. Each building, strategically named after an important part of Dutch history whether it be Dutch countries, symbolism, or important figures in Dutch society, houses about 55 students in each.

Delft, Groningen, Hague, Leiden, Rotterdam, Tilburg, Utrecht, Orange, Rensselear, Breukelen, and Amsterdam are the buildings that make up the complex, but while many freshman students inhabit these houses, few know the significance of each house name. Hofstra University Freshman, Amalia Richards said “I live in Amsterdam, and all I know about Amsterdam is that a lot of marijuana is smoked there legally.” Amsterdam, the capital of The Netherlands was one of the first houses named in the complex.

Of the 11 buildings in the complex, four of them are Provincial capitals including Amsterdam. Hague is the capital of Southern Holland, a province in which the City of Delft can be found. Utrecht is the capital of the Province Utrecht where Breukelen can be also be located in the country of Netherlands, and last but not least, Groningen, the capital of its own province in Holland.

The placement of each Netherlands dormitory building mirrors the location in which each country is on a Netherlands map. Delft, a city in Southern Holland, found between Rotterdam and Hague if located on a map, was accurately placed between the two buildings. Leiden and Tilburg are both countries located in the Southern Provinces of Netherlands and can be found directly next to each other in the Netherland Complex as well. Orange house was named after the colors of the Dutch royal family and is the only building in the Complex that is not a country besides Rensselear, which was named after a Dutch merchant with a significant affect in the Colonial American Trade.

The University was architected by H. Craig Severance and Wellington Ward. Ward can be credited with designing the Hofstra home named “The Netherlands” in an effort to recognize William Hofstra's Dutch ancestry.

For more information on Hofstra Universities on campus dorming visit: Hofstra Residence Halls