In 1937, Acting President Marts and Treasurer Dayton Ranck were authorized by the Trustees "…. to negotiate for an eating place or make eating arrangements for some of the men students of Bucknell University." Two years later the house located at 323 South Sixth Street was purchased from Miss Anna Judd "…. for $5,000.00, payable over a five year period." During the summer of 1939, an addition was constructed and extensive improvements were made to provide a men's dining room that could seat eighty-eight. By 1940, the dining room was a success. This house, known as Scott House, was used as a dining hall from 1940 to 1946, and several dietitians lived in the house from 1942 to 1946.

By the November Term of 1944, the three dining rooms of the university furnished "…. meals for more than 1,025 people daily." The enrollment that term was 1,114 students "…. composed of 617 women, 139 civilian men and 358 [Navy] trainees." The resident women took their meals in the Women's Dining Hall and the Navy trainees ate in the mess hall at 82 University Avenue.

In 1946, the Testing Bureau of the Veterans Administration was located in Scott House. This bureau had been established in 1945 "…. for the purpose of giving an approved battery of tests to all incoming students, especially returning veterans." The staff consisted of a "qualified psychological examiner" and a stenographer.

Bower House is visible to the right in this photograph.

"...to negotiate for..." BT '20-'50, 7/31/1937, pp. 1-2

"...for $5,000.00, payable..." ib., 12/17/1938, p. 8

"...meals for more than..." ib., 12/16/1944, p. 3

"...composed of 617 women..." ib., p. 2

"...for the purpose of giving..." ib., p. 11

The major source for the information on this page is the Minutes of the Board of Trustees of Bucknell University, 1920-1950 (BT '20-'50) .