Dining Out

Farewell To Wetherell

Hundreds of students, faculty and staff gathered in March to bid adieu to Wetherell Dining Hall. Named in honor of Howard B. Wetherell, class of 1889, whose estate helped fund its construction, the dining hall served the community well for 55 years. Members of the Wetherell family attended the luau-themed sendoff, which featured karaoke, delectable desserts and heartfelt messages written on the walls.

A new dining center and outdoor terrace is being erected on the footprint of the old. The design features a modern kitchen and servery, updated back-of-house spaces for streamlined food prep, and comfortable seating for more than 400 people. The new dining center, along with renovated Langdell and Merrill halls, is scheduled to open during the 2024-25 school year. E

Alumni Reflections Shared on Social Media

“I have fond memories of being a waiter in a white coat in Wetherell, my ‘scholarship job.’ The waiters ate first and bonded.” — Bruce Bernstein ’72

“I have very fond Wetherell memories as a Langdell girl. … Does anyone in the very early ’80s remember Mary Grady, who worked in Wetherell in the White Room? … When I was sad, she would find a box of Cap’n Crunch.” — Anne-Louise Oliphant ’82

“I was really nervous when I first started at Exeter. Come dinnertime I planned to meet up with the two people I had met and the food looked fantastic, so I filled up my tray. Walking to the table I dropped the tray and everyone clapped! Actually made the experience far less traumatizing, I felt like I fit in!”

— Branden Michael Cote ’03

“I attended Exeter 1988-1992. My favorite memories are the soul food dinners that the ALES had every Spring! We spent all day preparing the meal, we served and feasted and fellowshipped! It was amazing!”

— Nikki Barfield-Davis ’92

“The Main Street Table. Nuff said.”

— Kalim Kassam ’05

“The occasional box of sugar cereal, those little greasy yummy donuts on Sunday morning, learning to drink tea ‘properly’ from friends that had grown up overseas, the countless post practice late dinners … good memories.”— Adrienne McConnell ’89

“The background of so many emotions and memories … a sanctuary in many ways. — Joy Zhang ’18

“As a faculty member with young children, the small room in Weth was a favorite eating spot for our family to gather in communion with other Exeter families.” — Kadeine Peterson