The University of Alabama on Monday imploded Tutwiler Hall, a 13-story female dormitory that housed more than 50,000 women since opening its doors in 1968.
The dormitory was named after Julia Tutwiler, who blazed a trail for women’s educational advancement by successfully advocating for females to be admitted to the institution.
Her victorious lobbying of the UA board of trustees led to the admittance of Bessie Parker and Anna Adams, who were enrolled into the university in 1893.
Tutwiler, also known for her advocacy of prison reform in Alabama, authored the official state song.
The imploded Tutwiler Hall, which held a bed capacity of 1,000, was demolished after an evaluation determined that the university could not renovate the dormitory in a cost-effective manner.
The demolition took place at 7:00 a.m. and was handled by D.H. Griffin Wrecking Company from Birmingham and Dykon Explosive Demolition Corporation from Bixby, Okla.
UA constructed a new Tutwiler Hall next to the demolished building, which will open its doors in August and house more than 1,200 freshmen.
The new Tutwiler Hall will be its third iteration. The university’s first all-female dormitory was constructed in 1914.
The 1,284-bed capacity dormitory will be equipped with state-of-the-art furnishings and amenities and features a hybrid community-apartment style setup of double-capacity bedrooms.
According to the university, each room will feature two twin beds with a shared private bathroom. The building will also feature public community spaces with TVs and whiteboards, outdoor social spaces, laundry rooms on each floor, a fitness area, craft room and large storm shelter which will also serve as a multipurpose room.
The outdoor space will also feature a Tutwiler Promenade with personalized pavers purchased by alumni and supporters of the university.
UA advised that Tutwiler Hall would remain an all-women residence hall that primarily houses freshmen.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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