Ban Righ Hall, Queen’s oldest residence, was ed by its past and present residents one century after the building first opened its doors.
Opened by the Alumnae Association in 1925 after 15 years of planning, Ban Righ was the first all-women’s residence at Queen’s. The residence hall celebrated its 100th birthday on March 5, honouring alumnae and the early ers of its construction. After 27 years as the sole women’s residence on campus, Adelaide Hall was built to meet growing demand and remains women-only. The two buildings were designed to be connected.
The celebration featured a collection of archived items from Ban Righ Hall and Queen’s at the time of its opening, including old cheques from sponsors who donated to the building’s construction in the early 20th century.
After an hour of exploring the residence, Rector Niki Boytchuk-Hale, MEd ’26, took the floor, citing the importance of celebrating Ban Righ Hall’s construction for women at Queen’s in recognition of International Women’s Day on March 8.
“Our event today is coinciding with International Women’s Day in just a few days, and it celebrates the achievement of Ban Righ’s construction, history and how the dedication of Queen’s women’s community continues to bring the residence to life for generations of women students,” Boytchuk-Hale said.
Chancellor Shelagh Rogers, ArtSci ’77, commemorated women who have made an influence on her—from the past and present. Namely, former Associate Vice-Principal (Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation), Kanonhsyonne (Janice Hill), BEd ’99, former Chancellor Agnes Benidickson, BA ’41, and the first female Editor in Chief of The Journal Charlotte “Lottie” Whitton, who graduated with a Master of Arts in 1917.
“I salute you, all women of Queen’s and everyone who s women at Queen’s,” Rogers said.
The event concluded with alumnae Diane McKenzie, MPA ’92, and current student Eileen Danaee, HealthSci ’25, both former Ban Righ Hall residents, sharing how their time in the hall helped them build a lasting community. McKenzie reflected on her time in residence, where she and her friends would carve phone extension numbers on pumpkins for others to call and enforce mandatory curfews for her floor .
“I just feel our friendships were so special that were cemented in that first year, because it was pretty scary, you know, our first time away from home,” McKenzie said.
The event closed off with Boytchuk-Hale reminiscing about her days dining at Ban Righ as a resident of Victoria Hall in her first year. She added how, despite changes in tradition over time, first-years remain connected through dorm decorations.
“I reflect back on that time and sharing a meal and coffee and tea with friends, and they’re very formative times in our Queen’s experience,” she said. “While we don’t do the whole [carving extension numbers on a] pumpkin thing anymore, if you walk around campus, you’ll see sticky notes in people’s windows with messages going back and forth.”
Tags
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be ed, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to [email protected].