Lucas Hall

Henry M. Lucas was a machine tool manufacturer from Cleveland, Ohio, whose only knowledge of Roanoke College was through friend and attorney, R.M. Calfee '93, also a member of the College Board of Trustees. Mr. Lucas donated $75,594.33 to build the Hall; Mr. Calfee provided another $5,000 in equipment and it was dedicated in 1941. Mr. Lucas died of pneumonia in March of 1942, but this friend of education left the written reasons for his gift, which were engraved and mounted in the main hall. This is a classroom building originally designed as the new home for chemistry, that is now the headquarters for the English and Foreign Languages departments.