History of Smith Hall

If you’re a student at the University of Alabama there is a good chance that you’ve been either in or around Smith Hall. Although, the question is do you know the intriguing past of this historic building? The history of Smith Hall carries direct roots and possessions of the rich southern culture of the University of Alabama; which can be found in the “Encyclopedia of Alabama” by John C. Hall. There is a terrific and interesting history of the University of Alabama’s Natural Museum and its three great contributors including the man it is named after.

Before the establishment of the University of Alabama in 1831, William McMillan, a state librarian began collecting books to establish a natural history cabinet for the state. McMillan lobbied the state board of trusties for the position as state librarian, even though the state did not, at the time, possess a library of note, and proposed the creation of a natural history collection. Eventually his persistence and force of personality changed the minds of the board and McMillan was granted the title. After being granted his title McMillan began corresponding with scientists and professors all over the world and within a few years managed to established a respectable collection of rocks, minerals, fossils, bones, and mounted animals. The original home of this collection is unclear but is thought to have been the rotunda beside the Gorgas Library. After only a few years McMillan left his post at the University, but his collection remained.

A few years after McMillan’s abdication of his position Michael Tuomey became one of the University’s first professors in geology, mineralogy, and agricultural chemistry. Because of his training in engineering and practical geology, Tuomey was formally appointed as the first state geologist in 1848. As a University professor Tuomey had access to McMillan's original collection, which was contributed to the establishment of both the University and the Geologic Survey of Alabama's (GSA) collection. In 1857 Tuomey died, and due to the growing crisis between the north, south and the onset of the Civil War, his position was not replaced immediately. In April of 1865, most of the University, and subsequently the accumulated collections of McMillan and Tuomey were burned to the ground by Union troops.

In the summer of the following year Eugene Allen Smith, a student preparing to go abroad to Europe for his graduate studies, passed through Tuscaloosa and saved specimens of the collection that had not been destroyed in the fires of war. In 1871, Smith was appointed professor of agricultural chemistry and mineralogy at the University. Although Smith’s job at UA was to survey the natural resources of the state, he soon petitioned the state of Alabama to be appointed state geologist. After his appointment he immediately began to rebuild the University’s collection for his research and the public interest. During the 1880‘s his collection was displayed in several different locations including the basement of Woods Hall and Garland Hall. Around 1884 Smith began looking at architectural designs for the museum that would eventually become Smith Hall. These designs became a reality in 1910 and were dedicated as such in his honor by the University of Alabama trustees.

Of all the buildings on the campus of the University of Alabama, Smith Hall has one of the most fascinating histories to tell and see. So the next time your waiting for your bus, or just wandering around the quad, take some time to step inside Smith Hall and bask in the depth of its geological southern tradition.