The expanding University campus includes two historic 19th century buildings:

Park Hall, built at the turn of the 19th century by a wealthy shipbuilder, houses the offices of SSU, a residence, academic facilities, kitchen and dining room, as well as the University chapel, and overlooks the St. Croix River separating St. Stephen from Calais, Maine.   Years before it became a university building, Park Hall was the prestigious ‘Park Hotel,’ housing guests such as Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Munroe.  Today it is the hub of life at SSU.

The other historic 19th century building on the SSU campus is the Governor Todd Mansion, which is a block away from Park Hall.  This building provides apartments for students and staff members. When it was first built, the Todd Mansion was home to the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, Mr.?? Todd, and the entire third floor was a ballroom!

In addition to these historic buildings, the N. D. Lea Ministry Centre provides residential and study facilities for full and part-time Ministry Studies.  Past Chairman of the Board, and long-time friend and supporter, Norman Lea, donated this building to the university.

St. Croix Hall, which stands beside Park Hall, provides additional residence and classroom facilities for Arts students.

All of SSU’s buildings—whether 120 or 60 years old—are ‘works in progress,’ in need of constant restoration.  An SSU Bachelor of Arts thesis written by Shawna J. Hull (class of 2000) probes the idea of restoration--both of historic buildings and the soul of a community. In All New Things or All Things New? St. Stephen’s Heritage Homes, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Shawna writes:

"...A confidence in God as the Creator of all things affirms that the material realm is sacred. At the heart of the Christian message is the restoration and redemption of people and the created world. It is valuable to ask in what practical manner this might come to pass; for example, what could St. Stephen’s University, as a Christian liberal arts institution, do to encourage restoration of the surrounding culture? ...

Three aspects of restoration will be considered, the material, the social and the spiritual.  In each instance ... restoration involves the constructing of a new creation from the old; God did not say He was going to make all new things but that He was going to make all things new.

The nineteenth century domestic architecture of St. Stephen illustrates in wood, brick and stone, the story of the people who settled the St. Croix Valley region and who have since contributed to the growth of a maritime community. To work at understanding and restoring this distinct culture through a valuing of the town’s material history is an embodiment of Christ’s message in our culture, just as the Incarnation of Jesus Christ made possible the restoration of all of creation." (Hull, ii, iii)

"From its inception St. Stephen’s University has had a vision for restoration, first and foremost of people but such a hope has also transformed the University’s material surroundings as well. For through the perseverance and vision of its leaders, the University has gradually renewed ... Park Hall, along with the Todd Mansion, another historic home purchased by the school. Saving both buildings from destruction, these houses are once again among the outstanding examples of historic architecture in the town. Within the University’s mission statement there is no mention of historical preservation, and yet as a Christian community the school understands the biblical principles of healing and transformation and seeks to see restoration in their built surroundings as well as within people." (Hull, 16)

 

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