Then & Now | Gray Brick Building

Since Cumberlands’ founding in 1888, many things have changed about this institution in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. In this section, we peel back the layers of time for a glimpse at what life was like “back in the day” to see what is different – and what has stayed remarkably similar – from then to now.

The Gray Brick Building was built in 1906. The following year, Cumberlands (then the Williamsburg Institute) bought it from Highland College.

Since 1921, the building has been used to hold classrooms and departmental offices. From 1921-1955, administrative offices were located there as well. It has been the home of the English and history departments since 1921.

From the 1920s to the 1980s, the building held Cumberlands’ counseling services, the ROTC program, a dark room used for photography, and the student newspaper. At one point, a chemistry lab was located in the building.

The building underwent a remodel and restoration in the mid-80s, resulting in the building Cumberlands’ current staff and students know and love.

All this time, the building was officially called the Gray Brick Building. It wasn’t until 2000 that its name was changed to the Bennett Building in honor of Clyde V. and Patricia Bennett, who had financially aided Cumberlands for many years.

Today, Bennett holds the English, missions and ministry, history, political science, and world languages departments. There are nine classrooms on the first and second floors, including an auditorium, and an infamously low number of bathroom stalls (one per restroom, two restrooms in total) are located in the basement. A writing lab, including 24 computers and a printer, is located on the first floor.

But classes aren’t all that happen in Bennett! The building is also the occasional host to several different campus events, such as chapel services and club or honor society meetings.

Dr. Bob Dunston, who taught religion courses in Bennett for years, said, "For many years, Bennett 107 had a sink in it. For a long time that had been the art classroom. I washed dishes in there and filled coffee pots but wondered too how many students and faculty learned and refined their artistic skills there. Bennett was and is a place of creativity."

Current associate professor, Jamey (Hill) Temple, ’03, reflects on her time as a student and now faculty member, "What I like best about working in Bennett is my place in its history, specifically what is now room 107. When I was a Cumberlands student, I took several classes that met in this room: religion classes with Dr. Dupier and Dr. Bob, a history class with Dr. Pilant, and two writing classes with visiting professors, Crystal Wilkinson (who is now our Kentucky Poet Laureate) and KET's Al Smith. I remember one professor saying that at some point in that room's history it had been a science class, which explained the sinks and cabinets. This room has changed over the years and hints of its past removed, but it's one I frequently request to teach in now that I am a professor. It is now set up like a boardroom, which is perfect for my creative writing classes, but that's not the full reason why I request it. The truth is I like to inhabit spaces that have their own stories and feel a connection to what's been there before. Maybe one day my students will talk about the Bennett Building and time we shared there too."