Pearson House Closes Temporarily for Repairs
Pearson House, home to Webster’s philosophy and English departments, is temporarily closed as of last month. According to Patrick Giblin, senior director of public relations, the building has a number of safety and security complications, leading to its closure.
There is currently no estimated timeline for the building’s rehabilitation. In the meantime, the English and philosophy departments, as well as all classes, have been moved to Webster Hall and the H. Sam Priest House.
Constructed in 1933, Pearson House was not originally built for the university but was eventually acquired by Webster. In the past years, it has housed student literary magazine The Green Fuse, the English department’s publication The Mercury, as well as poets, novelists, essayists and playwrights.
Last year, the building began experiencing air conditioning and heating unit malfunctions. These issues, alongside a lack of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the building’s age, have increased insurance costs and legal liabilities.
“As you can imagine, all of these repairs come with a high price tag. The university’s plan is to make these repairs as funds become available and eventually reopen the building once the building is rendered safe and accessible,” Giblin said.
Students like English major Lianna Groff feel the impact of the building’s temporary closure.
“It [Pearson House] is going to sit there until Webster can figure out how to make money instead of losing it or breaking even, and it’s really sad because it’s just going to get worse if it sits there,” Groff said. “But also, some of the repairs are so heavy – like the A/C and the heating and the fact that it’s not accessible. It’s just not going to be the top priority right now, even though it’s something that’s very nostalgic and that we all really love.”
English major Lydia Chotrow also feels that the community Pearson House fosters is special and that the building itself holds memories.
“I love the basement. It was always a place to go and just hang out, meet new people and it was always very cozy,” Chotrow said. “I love the creaky stairs going up to the offices because everyone always knows who’s coming. Overall, the vibes there — it’s just comfy. It’s cozy and it’s intimate, and it’s really bookish and English-y and everyone knows everyone there.”
Chotrow said the university could have taken preventative measures to avoid the temporary shutdown.
“If they were planning on fixing [Pearson House], they would have already fixed the A/C when it went out. They would have fixed the heating right away when it went out. They would have kept up on the mold. They would have fixed the basement after it flooded,” Chotrow said. “They did none of those things.”
While the university plans to make repairs as funds become available, students have been working to preserve the Pearson House community. On April 8, the Webster University Philosophy Coalition hosted a crafting event to decorate the department’s new space in Webster Hall. English and philosophy faculty have also been encouraging students to visit and lounge in the new location, as there is no timeline for the Pearson House repairs.
