Campus Buildings

Freeman Annex

The Freeman Annex to Dukes Memorial was named for Childe Harold Freeman, an Ohio Northern professor of English.

By the early 1990’s, an addition to Dukes was needed. Work on this project began in May 1994 with the removal of the old animal lab which dated from 1951 when Dukes was home to the College of Pharmacy. The new annex includes classrooms, restrooms and an elevator and was dedicated in March 1995.

In Fall 2002, ground was broken for a further expansion, the Cornetet Addition, which was built onto the west end of the Freeman Annex. This section was completed in Fall 2003.

Biography:

Dr. Childe Harold Freeman was born in Salem, Ohio on June 3, 1872. In 1901, he graduated from Ohio Northern’s Scientific Course. Following a common practice of the time, he appears to have supported himself by teaching in various area schools both before and after graduation. While a student, he boarded and lodged with the family of Joseph and Marietta (Byrnes) Johnson. It was there that he met their daughter, Ethel, who he married on October 3, 1895

He returned to Ada in 1906 to become the principal of the Ada high school. Between 1907 and 1909 he served as superintendent of the Ada schools.

His return to the university began in 1909 when he was appointed chair of the  English department. He held this position for the next 43 years until his retirement in June 1952.

In addition to a career in teaching, Dr. Freeman served three terms in the Ohio General Assembly beginning in 1918. He also maintained an interest in the local school system, serving on the Ada school board for a total of 32 years. Dr. Freeman died on April 15, 1954.