Old Dominion University's Rollins Hall, Norfolk

Originally constructed in the mid-1930s as the Administration Building for the Norfolk Division of the College of William & Mary, Rollins Hall was built thanks to funding from the New Deal-era Works Progress Administration and Public Works Administration. Completed in 1936, it made way for offices, six classrooms, two gymnasiums, a library, and even an indoor swimming pool. During its early years, the building doubled as a social and athletic hub, hosting men’s basketball games and theater performances.

As the institution expanded post-1960s, an annex was added to accommodate new demands. Later, in honor of the university’s third president, Alfred B. Rollins, Jr., the building was renamed Rollins Hall, a tribute acknowledging his leadership and the institution’s growing identity as Old Dominion University.

Today, Rollins Hall houses essential administrative functions such as the Office of Finance, University Registrar, Financial Aid, and Admissions, serving thousands of students each year with core university services. Interestingly, this historic hub still echoes its social past: in the mid-20th century, it was home to Bud’s Emporium, a beloved campus snack bar and hangout, before relocating to newer facilities in the 1950s.