Anastasia Building – University of Miami Archives

The oldest memorabilia of the U is the finial from the Anastasia Building.

A few years ago, a colleague at the Newman Alumni Center pointed the finial in the picture and told me that it is the only remnant of the Anastasia Building. I was happily surprised by the discovery so I have been meaning to share it with our patrons. The signage reads “Concrete finial salvaged by Walter W. Watt, BBA ’45 from the demolition of the Anastasia Building (aka the “Cardboard College”) home to the University of Miami during the 30’s and 40’s. Donated to the university by The Honorable James L. Watt, AB ’66 and Susan J. Schlemm Watt, BED ’67.”

I wonder where the finial was placed in the Anastasia Building. Please see the picture below, which I think is the oldest image of the University of Miami because of the sign “Class of 1930” over the entrance. The Anastasia Building was the first campus of the University of Miami which was located in downtown Coral Gables.

I think this is the oldest image of the Anastasia Building because of the sign “Class of 1930” over the entrance.

The finial is placed in a quiet corner of the courtyard so please look for it when you visit the Center next time.

In coordination with the current Richter exhibition “This Space, This Place,” the University Archives is offering a mini exhibition titled “University of Miami’s First Campus” at the Special Collections Reading Room on the 8th floor of the library.

The featured item in the case is an appraisal report of the university properties from 1953. It contains a detailed map of Coral Gables that pinpoints the original location of the first campus of the university at the University Drive and Riviera Drive. The Anastasia Building was located there, which served as the home for administrative offices and classrooms of the University of Miami from 1926 through the late 1960s.

After the devastating hurricane of 1926 passed over South Florida, University officials knew that they would never be able to finish the Merrick Building and open on time, so they set their sights on the Anastasia Building, which was originally planned as a hotel but construction had been halted for lack of funds. The University leased the building and quickly installed room dividers to make the building function as a school. The building thus became known as the “Cardboard College.”

We hope this exhibition is going to be a good introduction for new students and employees to our collections and the university’s history and heritage.

Tag: Anastasia Building

The Oldest Memorabilia of the U

University of Miami’s First Campus