Collier House in 2011 / Oregon Digital

UO History 101: Collier House

In 1886, George Collier, a chemistry and physics professor at the University of Oregon, bought 9.5 acres near the university campus, which he used to design and build a house and a cherry orchard. Ten years later, the UO purchased the property which became the third building on campus, and it became the residence for the university president. 

As there was no formal library on campus, the lower level was used for book storage and the upper level housed the president and family. 

Less than half a century later in 1941, the president’s residence was moved off campus to the McMorran House. The Collier House was then transformed into a faculty club for male staff. The faculty club included a library, billiards room, a restaurant, and many meeting rooms. 

 

The faculty club at the Collier House expanded to allow women in the 1960s, and a dining room was added in 1963. 

In 1976, the Collier House was officially added to the City of Eugene’s historic landmark list, joining Johnson Hall, University Hall, Villard Hall, and the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. 

The faculty club closed in 2003, and Collier House became a space for classrooms, faculty offices, and music recitals. The house will be moved from its original site to Gerlinger Green to accommodate for new buildings, but the timing of the move is uncertain. 

Get more information about the Collier House and the Collier House relocation. 

-By Peyton Hall, UO Alumni Association Student Associate