House with historical ties
reunited with MC

By Rebekah McCombs
Courier Staff

The Manor, a notable four-square piece of architecture located at 701 E. Broadway, will once again become the property of Monmouth College thanks to Bonnie Bondurant Shaddock ’54.

With the encouragement of former first lady of MC, Sandra Geise, Shaddock recently bought the Manor and donated it back to the college in February of this year.

The Manor will be used to house guests, including, but not limited to, visiting alumni and possible candidates, new faculty members and alumni.

Shaddock did not place restrictions on who could stay at The Manor.

The Manor was built in 1902 and served as former president James Harper Grier’s home.

In 1908, the Pattee family, one of the wealthiest families in town, bought the house, and in 1909, sold the house back to the college.

It was not until 1965 when the Quinby House was built and became the new home for MC’s presidents.

After 1965, The Manor was used to house senior women.

College Relations took over The Manor in 1980, remodeled it into offices and it stayed in this form until Poling Hall was renovated with new office space.

In 1996, Poling Hall was renovated and The Manor was no longer needed for office space, and it was sold to vice president for external relations Dick Valentine and his wife, Lorna, who converted it back to a gracious residence.

A formal dedication of The Manor will be on May 13. Two of the bedrooms in the house will be named after Shaddock’s children, and one other room will be named the “Giese Room,” honoring the former president.

Shaddock, a member of the Monmouth College Board of Trustees, currently lives with her husband in Laguna Hills, Calif.

She is a retired educational television personality and has always remained active and supportive of the college.