McConnell Hall

Building Name: McConnell Hall

Other Names: Residence dining, Residence cafeteria

Civic Address: 19 Bailey Dr.

Sod Turning: 1960

Cornerstone Laying: [1960?]

Opened for Use: 15 September 1961

Official Opening: 5 October 1961

Architect: ADI; Larson and Larson

Named for: John Wilson McConnell, publisher of the Montreal Star, businessman, humanitarian, philanthropist (building officially named 22 September 1961). He made several large, anonymous contributions to the construction of UNB student residences and the dining hall. Only after Lord Beaverbrook exerted considerable pressure on him, permission was received to name the dining hall after McConnell.

Renovations/changes/additions: New wings added 1965; renovations in 2004 increased the building's capacity as well as created new serving stations.

Notes: Originally served the male resident students of Aitken, Jones, Neville and Neill House. Continues to serve as a dining hall for students living on campus.

Source(s):

• Leroux, John. Building A University: The Architecture of UNB. Fredericton: Goose Lane Editions, 2010, p. 77, 81.
• UA Case 123; Section 3, Box 1; McConnell Hall.
• UA Case 122, Section 3; Chronological Listing of Buildings.
• UNB Scrapbooks (UA RG 100), June - December 1961