Opened in 1924, Cornelia Clapp Laboratory has seen one hundred years of students pass through her halls and occupy her classrooms and labs. Clapp was built out of necessity after the previous science building, Williston Hall, burnt down in 1917. A costly project at $600,000, fundraising done by the students was invaluable, and as appreciation for their efforts, Clapp’s tower is dedicated as the Student Tower. Construction lasted from the summer of 1922 until the summer of 1924, when it opened for students in the fall and was dedicated on Founder’s Day, November 7th. Roughly sixty years later, Clapp underwent major renovations where the greenhouse and connector to Carr Laboratory were built. To celebrate the renovations, a two-day rededication event was held to show off the revamped building and the science departments to alumnae and donors.
The Clapp laboratory sections were curated by Peregrine Basich Whitney ‘25.