History Dept. returns to College Hall

For the first time in eighteen months, History Department Chairman Jonathan Steinberg can open his windows for a breath of fresh air.

No longer forced to work in a windowless, corporate atmosphere, he can breathe a sigh of relief as the History Department returns to its rightful home.

Six years ago, the department was relocated to 3401 Walnut St. for a series of renovations in College Hall, which had been home to the department since 1872. Despite a few lingering problems -- the roof remains unfinished and some of the offices have not been renovated -- faculty and staff have moved back into the second floor of College Hall.

With renovations still incomplete, the department might have to vacate their home again in another four years. And with a small turnover in the faculty complicated by a number of professors on academic leave for the semester, the department is still trying to acclimate itself to its new home.

But, for now, the faculty could not be more pleased about the relocation.

"I am just so happy I cannot even tell you," College of Arts and Sciences Dean Richard Beeman said. "I hated 3401. It was the opposite of such a laden traditional place, which is where a history department should be."

Steinberg echoed Beeman's sentiments, noting both the tradition associated with College Hall and its spot on Locust Walk.

"It is a wonderful old building in a central location," Steinberg said. "We are in the middle of the campus with a beautiful view. It is much nicer, and you can actually open the windows."

Beeman, an American History professor, said that most of the faculty did not start to move back to the center of campus until the end of August or beginning of September.

"We are still unpacking, and it is messy," Beeman noted. "It is a complex move, and the roof is not finished. I think, in a move of this magnitude, I am amazed at how few complaints we have had."

Students said they are equally happy about the relocation, especially since current majors have not had the opportunity to see the department in its old home until this year.

"I think that the move is appropriate considering the major is one of the largest in the College," College junior Ann Goldenberg said. "It was traditionally housed there, and I think it is great to see the department back in its roots."

Other history majors said they prefer the culture and tradition of College Hall to the modern character of the 3401 Walnut building.

"I like that the department has a central location now and is in one of the older, more traditional buildings at Penn," College senior Leah Sheaffer said.

In addition to a change of location, the department has added two professors, Sarah Igo and Phoebe Kropp, but lost Marc Trachtenberg and has a number of professors on academic leave.

Trachtenberg received offers from both the University of California, Los Angeles and Harvard University but did not inform the College of Arts and Sciences as to which position he accepted.

"We did our best to keep him, and we are very sorry he left," School of Arts and Sciences Dean Samuel Preston said.

According to Beeman and Preston, it is common for the History Department to see a large number of faculty on academic leave every year.

"It is a fact of life," Beeman said. "When you have a terrific department like history, people will be on leave all the time. The heart and soul of why we are such a great department is our standing faculty."

Preston said the strength of the department allows it to compensate for the number of faculty who take leave.

"It is one of our best departments here and one of the best history departments in the country," Preston said. "The faculty usually have ways of filling the gaps."

Some, however, are indifferent to the department's relocation. Rather, they are troubled by the number of professors on leave, complaining that the department is not yet completely situated and operational.

"I do not really like that there is no lounge for the students," College senior Marcy Smirnoff said. "I have been up to the offices, and the main problem seems to be that no one has really moved in yet. Furniture isn't set up, and most professors have not unpacked their boxes."

Despite the fact that the department is not yet completely operational, College junior Alison Rose still supports the move back home.

"No matter how many times I had to go into 3401, I always got lost," said Rose, an American History major. "College Hall is closer, and it's easier to find rooms inside. History teachers seem happy. I think they just feel a little disorganized because a lot of their stuff is still in cardboard boxes."

And for others, course selection was affected by the number of professors on leave this semester.

"A course I really wanted is not being offered, College junior Susan Goodman said. "I am taking something else that fulfills core requirements instead of my major."

And Goldenberg, a Diplomatic History major, said she has planned to take a class previously taught by Trachtenberg.

"I need to take History 420 for my concentration, and while I am really enjoying Professor Siegel, it was always Trachtenberg's class and I had heard fabulous things about him," Goldenberg said.

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