Stop 1: Historic Mansions
Cook Hall is the former home of Hester Ringling Sanford (1893-1965), the only daughter of Charles and Edith Ringling. Today, the white-washed building houses administrative and faculty offices for New College, including the President, the Provost, the Vice President of Finance and Administration, and Institutional Research. The two-story living room, frequently used for College receptions as well as for informal meetings for students and faculty, has French doors leading to a terrace and fountain overlooking the bay.
Cook Hall was built for Hester Ringling by her father in 1926, and she lived there until her death in 1965. It is reported that she was gifted with extraordinary intelligence and had a rare sixth sense, which her parents preferred not to recognize. Her first husband, her only true love, died during the First World War. She had three more husbands, and raised two sons. Despite health problems, she taught a number of voice students. Opera and theater filled her life. Her tall, slender figure and regal manner both intrigued and intimidated people who met her. Her deep sense of altruism was the dominant motivating factor in her life.
After Hester’s death, the mansion was known as South Hall, and in 1980 it was named in honor of A.Werk Cook, a longtime College and Foundation trustee and advocate. He was married to Jane Bancroft Cook, for whom the library is named. The Cooks embraced the value of New College’s culture of intellectual freedom and self-directed study, and donated time and money over the course of many years.
Cook Hall was built for Hester Ringling by her father in 1926, and she lived there until her death in 1965. It is reported that she was gifted with extraordinary intelligence and had a rare sixth sense, which her parents preferred not to recognize. Her first husband, her only true love, died during the First World War. She had three more husbands, and raised two sons. Despite health problems, she taught a number of voice students. Opera and theater filled her life. Her tall, slender figure and regal manner both intrigued and intimidated people who met her. Her deep sense of altruism was the dominant motivating factor in her life.
After Hester’s death, the mansion was known as South Hall, and in 1980 it was named in honor of A.Werk Cook, a longtime College and Foundation trustee and advocate. He was married to Jane Bancroft Cook, for whom the library is named. The Cooks embraced the value of New College’s culture of intellectual freedom and self-directed study, and donated time and money over the course of many years.
Stop 1: Historic Mansions
Stop 2: Campus & Facilities
Stop 3: Natural Science Facilities
Stop 4: Recreation
Stop 5: Housing Stop 6: Music & Fine Arts Stop 7: Library Stop 8: Classrooms
Stop 9: Sarasota-Bradenton Stop 10: Student Life Stop 11: Dining Return to Campus Tour >>
Stop 5: Housing Stop 6: Music & Fine Arts Stop 7: Library Stop 8: Classrooms
Stop 9: Sarasota-Bradenton Stop 10: Student Life Stop 11: Dining Return to Campus Tour >>
