OUTLOOK | MARCH 2021 35
Darlington converting
Home-on-the-Hill, one of
Rome’s oldest residences,
to alumni building
By Olivia Morley
Darlington will be making some campus changes
in the near future, starting with the demolotion
of Sydenham Hall and transitioning Home-onthe
Hill from the head of school’s residence
to a new alumni building.
Darlington will be making some campus changes in the
near future, starting with the demolition of Sydenham
Hall and transitioning Home-on-the-Hill from the head of
school’s residence to a new alumni building.
“This is all part of our campus master plan process,”
Head of School Brent Bell said.
Sydenham Hall is one of the oldest buildings on campus,
according to Bell, and has served many purposes over
the years, from dormitories and an infirmary to, most
recently, administrative offices.
The Board of Trustees recently sat down to discuss what
should happen to the building. Multiple repairs are needed,
and the board determined the cost to fix the building
was too expensive.
The school will likely bid out the demolition in the next
few months and take down the building sometime over
the summer when students won’t be on campus.
They have no current plans for the space and Bell said
it’ll just be “greenspace” for now.
The traditional residence of head of school, Darlington’s
Home-on-the-Hill will become the Alumni and Friends
House.
Home-on-the-Hill is one of the oldest buildings in the
county, originally belonging to Phillip Hemphill, one of
the founders of Rome, in 1832. According to Bell, legend
has it that the story of pulling names out of a hat to
choose the town’s name took place in the front yard of
the home.
Bell said he and his family have moved out of the home.
It will now be used to host events and gatherings with
members of the community as well as students, their
families and alumni.
Although the house will become more of an event space
than a residence, Bell said they won’t be doing any major
renovations to the building.