Culver Military Academy Dinning Hall  

1908 - Dec 17 - Mr. Wickham, for four years in charge of the kitchen and mess hall as chief steard, has severed his connection with the academy.

1909 - AUg 19 - Academy Mess Hall

New Building to be of Noble Size and Appearance.

WOrk has begun on the academy'snew mes all and kitchen. When finished next pring it will be the largest building on the grounfs, exceeding even the great riding hall by 50 square feet.

It will be double the size of the preent mess hall and will have a sesting capacity of 500.
The deminsions of the mess hall will be 90X130, and the kitchen will cover about an equal amount of ground.

A balcony will occupy one side of the mess hall to accomodate visitors who may desire to see the big battalion at its meals.

1909 - Sep 9
A NOBLE STRUCTURE,
New Mess Hall at Academy to Be the Most Complete of Its kind Anywhere

Culver Military Academy has just completed its thirteenth session, the most successful in its history. As in previous years, the applications for admission have far exceeded the capacity of the buildings. Yet no new barracks will be built. The trustees instead had decided upon comprehensive plans which when completed will make Culver a model of its kinf among the military schools of the world, with equipment far beyond thar afforded by private instituitons, and offering facilitied usually expected only in institutions supported by the resources of the government

It has been determined to erect one or more buldings each succeeding year until the school is perfectly equiped. The plan provies for the erection of the following buildings:
Mess Hall and Kichen, comnbined Y.M.C.A. and Recreation BUilding,
Auditorium and Chapel,
Quartermaster's Building including tailoring department and post office,
Library,
Power House,
Lundry,
Stables,
Refrigerator Plant,
Carpenter Shop,
Cannon House,
Warehouses,
etc., etc. In addition it contemplates improvement of the gorunds by landscape, graening, together with the construction of th mose suitable form of wlaks, bridges, gateswats ande febces, All the new buikldudings will be of the most permanent cgaracter, and expense will not be spared to make them perfect in every detail

Work has been begun upon the new mess hall and kitchen. In the preparation of the plans the architects: Messrs. Baker & Knell of St. Louis, have made a study of the best buildings of this kind throughout the country, among these the mess Hall and kitchen of the United States MIlitary Academy. It is believed that when completed it will be the finest school mess building in the country

The new mess hall will be built in the Tudor Gothic style of architecture, in harmony with the buildings already erected. Its frontage will be 158 feet with impsing towers and ornamental entrances. The main hakk will be a splended room 90X130 feet, with steel truss roof and unobstcured floor space, with seating capacity for a tactical battalion of 428 cadets and a maximum capacity of 500 men.

The present mess hall, with some crowding, would seat the number we propose to seat in our new building yet the old building has only half the floor spase of the the new. This comparison give an idea of the spaciousness of the new building. The generous dimensions provided for broad aisles between the tables both for prompt and conveniet serving and the forming and passing of companies. The entire battalion may rise and form at once, instead of by companies as heretofore. This with two broad main entrances and one wet weather entrance from formation sheds, makes it possible for the battalion to enter and leave the hall in less than one-half the time ordinarily used.

The building will be of reinforced construction throughout, rendering it absolutely firefroof. The main hall willl be full two storoies in height, the distance from the floor to the ceiling being 22 feet, allowing abundant air space, and giving an atmosphere of spaciousness and comfort. The hall is to be lighted and ventilated by numerous windows on all sides, and by large skylights.

The interior will be handsomely finisihed with marble wainscotting and tile floor.Ornatmental china closets, with steamplate-warmers for each mess, will be built into the walss. A special pattern of chait will be provided with box seat to contain the cap and overcoat. There will be a palm room at the east end of the building, and a mezzanine or balcony with side entrance for visitors or guests.

In connection with the mess hall there will be erected a model kitchen, with non-absorbent and insect proof walls and floors, and equipped with the most approved appliances for the prepareation and serving of food, and the disposal of waste. Cold storage rooms, seperate sanitary milk roon, storage for fruits and vegetable, testing room and food laboratory under the supervivison of the head of the chemistry department, will be features of the equipment.

The second floor of the kitchen building will be occupied by a model bakery, with its own seperate storage and refrigerating rooms. This department will furnish all bread, rolls, pastery, cakes, etc. used by the cadet mess. In addition there will be provided a canning and preserving room; also a room equipped with power ice cream freezers.

The floor space of the kitchen will be about equal to that of the mess hall. Those already familiar with the academy's plant will gain an idea of the size of the mess hall and kitchen building from the fact that it will occupy more space than the riding hall which hitherto has been the largest building on the grounds. In this building there will be adequate messes for civilian employes and for kitchen and mess hall help. Like the mess hall the kitchen will be built of reinforced concrete throughout, fireproof and absolutely sanitary. It will be two stories ub height with finished basement. Its eqipment will be built and installed by the Wrought Irown Range company of St. Louise and will include the best type of rnges, steam vegetables and cearal cookers, coffee and tea urns, bread mixers, meat choppers and other devices run by electric motors. Automaticstokers and devices for removal of ashes and garbage through floor chutes into covered trucks below, insure absolute cleanliness and absence of flies where the food is prepared.

It is estimated the the building will cost in the neighborhood of $75,000. - Citizen

1909 - Sep 30 - Bryon Badgely is running the cement mixer for COntractor Barnes on the new mess hall at the academy

1909 - Sep 30 The work of excavation on the new mess hall at the Academy is pracally completed and Contractor Barnes is now superintending the first work on the fondation.

1910 - March 3 - Several car loads of structural steel came in last week for the new mess hall at the Academy. As soon as the weather will permity the work will proceed rapidly.

1910 - April 7 - Work has progressed rapidly on the new mess hall during the past ten days. About half of the hige stell girders are now in place and a good idea is given of the elevation as well as the area of the structure.

1910 Apr 28 - Te heavy steel work on the new mess hall is now in position and the masonry work on the walls is being pushed rapidly forward. Had the snows of recent days not retarded the labor the brick would by this time have risen above the window casings.
,br> 1910 - June 2- From the Academy

The first offical ceremonial toward the "Greater Culver" ook place on Tuesday monring when the corner tstone of the new mess hall was dropped into place in the presence og the entire battalion, faculty, Mrs. E. J. Culver-Bell, Maj. Bell, Brigadier-General Irving hale and many visitors.

As a compensation for their not being able to use the new building the first class were given charge of the ceremonial and President Perry Henricks wielded the trowel and swung the stone into place.

After the singing og America Major Gignilliat called the attention of the cadets to the fact thar the real corner stone of any institution is its student body past and present.

He told briefly the histor of the fifteen years since the corner stone of the first barracks was laid and then spole of the mafnificent plans for the :greater Culver" of the future.
I think it not inappropriate to call your attention at this time to the fact that all these splendid buildings, the riding hall, gymnasium, hospital and the present sturcture which itself will cost $120,000 when completed have been erected by the members of the CUlver family without one dollar of assistance of donation from outside sources. I feel that you and I and the publice at large should feel a debt of gratitufe to Mr. H. H. Culver, the sagacious founder, who chose the beautiful spot and evolved the idea of the school which his widow and her sons are so loyally carrying to a fuller fruituinl

At the close of his remarks Major Gignilliat introduced Brigadier General Irvin Hale of Denver, who has the proud distinvtion og holding the highest aceademic record in his course at West Point of any living graduate of that instituiton. General Hale spoke in part as follows:
Major Gignilliat, officers and cadets of the Culver Military academyy

It is certainly a great pleasure to me, and an honor to participate in this corer stone laying and dedication of what is undoubtedly destined to be one of the most important, and I might say, without fear, one of the most popular buildings in thes great institution of learning.

THis splendid instituiton, the CUlver Military academy, should teach, and has taught you men, those principals that are son necessary and valuable, not only in war, bbut in peace, in every form of civil life, namely odedience to duty, obedience to oders, the performance of duty not only up to the ordinary limit, but beond as you are able to go, to your exteme powers, loyalty to your assoiciaes, to the school, and to your superiors in every line or work for the state and for the country.

I know that you men appreciate those principles which have been bred into ou here, and willfollow you through out life. ANd now as I look over this assemblage and gaze into your pallid faces and emaciated forms, I must say that this building has come none to soon.

It is very unfortunate that this first class should not have received the benefit of it. Seriously, in looking at you, and looking at the results produced by the old mess hall, I expect, if I should return in three or four ears from now, I should see, as a result of this new institution, a battalion of jefferies that would awe any foreign army that might attempt to land upon our shores.

I take great pleasures, after these few remarks, in turning this ceremony over to your class president, Captain Hendricks, to set this stone and dedicate this building in the name of the class of nineteen ten, and the officers of this institution, through its coming classes, and with best wishes for the success of this splendid institution.

On April 17, 1911 the new CMA Mess Hall was dedicated. It altered the layout of the campus. It's size dominated the west side of the campus. The cost of construction, excluding furniture, fittings, and kitchen equipment was $80,000. The rear of the building was three stories high and supported a hugh kitchen, refrigeration plant, bakery, dairy and ice cream plant.

The main floor of the Mess Hall was constructed of small green, wine, and white tiles. They were laid in 1911 and quickly became a focal point of the expanse of floor without supporting pillars was quite revolutionary for the period. The ceiling was divided by three skylights, thus providing natural lighting, reducing weight and supplementing electric lights.

The main hall is 90x130 feet, and contained seating for 1,000.

Cadet and faculty tables were set family-style and served by waiters through 1958.

Each waiter was assigned two-three tables and and was respondible for his settings, silverware, and glassware. They maintained small pantrys built into the walls and were responsible for washing and maintaining their inventory.

The waiter staff was under the command of major domo and head waiter, Charlie Dickerson.

His service to the Academy covered more than half century. He maintained a military-like precision with his waiters. They stood inspection, were checked for clean uniforms, polished shoes, and took great pride in their professionalism.

The expansive hall seated the entire corps of cadets in a single formation. The sidewalls are wainscoated in white marble broken at intervals by green marble pilasters. The four murals depicting scenes from Indiana history were gifts of the Class of 1928.

The unique chairs were designed for the Academy by E.R. Culver. Each had a metal frame attached to the back that could hold a folded overcoat and hat of the occupant.

The second floor mezzanine was used almost exclusively for visitors.

Faculty were at assigned tables beneath the mezzanine.

To add character, ivy was allowed to grow unimpeded well into the building's second decade when the ravages on the masonry were finally heeded. Thereafter, "ivy-covered walls" became an anathema.



Shortly after the mess hall was built the academy had a short lived in-house dairy. The academy bottled its own milk around this time - a Half-pint milk bottle imprinted "Culver Military Academy Culver , Indiana", dated 1914 exists. It is believed that the dairy barn was probably located on St. \Rd. 117 at the south west entrace of what is the golf course today - this barn burnt down in the 1970's. Later the Newman Dairy Farm south of Culver supplied the milk for the academy which was pasteurized on-site at Culver. There was a series of pipes where the milk came down to a spicket where waiters would get it.



1957-58 also brought the end of the "Waiter System" that had been used and insituted "Cafeteria-style" dining into effect.

1961 - May 3 - Dining Hall At Academy Again Makes Headlines

Campus Landmark 50 years Old

(Typographical erros in last weeks paper apparently caused by the type lice, since noboby would admit responsibility, caused theis historial item on page 1 to become badly garbled. It is reprented this week at the rquest of a reader who attended the notable event 50 years ago.)

Thw "way Back WHen" columns of many Hoosier newspapers during the past few days have carried a Culver item of 50 years ago which should be of great interst locally

Typical is this pPril 15, 1911 item reprinted in the Indianapolis Times:
Governor and Mrs Thomas B. Marshall and Meredith NIcholson were in Culver where the Governor delivered an address at the didication of the New Mess hall at CUlver Military Academy<
Last week's Citizen published this April 20 1911 item:
Easter weekend, which included the opening of the new $125,000 mess hall, brought great crowds to the Academy

Colorful Govenor Here

It will be recalled that Tom Marshall later became Vice President of the United STates under President Woodrow WIlson. The colorful Columbia City lawyer is well remembered for his classic remark: "WHat this country needs most is a good decent cigar".
Famous Author ALso Present

Meredith Micholson became onf of Indiana's famous literary giants and one of his best sellers, "The House of A Thousnad Candles": was written right here on the East Hore of Lake Maxinkuckee.




81 MIllion Cost Today?

It is estimated that the 50 year-old building, new referred to as the dining hall on the campus, would today cost at least $1 million to construct.

1962 - Dec 19 - Schutte Names To Head CMA Food Services., James C. Kurz to Manage The Inn.

Wilbert H. Schutte has been named genral manager of the Culver Inn and the dining hall at the dining hall at Culver Military Academy, Fred Vollmer, president of Management Foor Service, annouced today

In additon, Vollmer announced that James C. Kurz will become manager of the Culver in as of March 1, 1963.

' Management Food Serivxe is a subsidiary of Stoufer Corportation Inc., national restaurant chain which operates both the Culver Inn and the dining hall under a joint agreement.

Schutte who has been senior member of Management food personnel since the agreement was made with the Academy in 1958, succeeds DOnald H. Ralph, manager of the Inn since last March. Ralph has left the campus to take a new position with Michigan State University.

Academy Superintendent Delmar T. Spivey said the changes in management of the Inn will bring a closer workign relationship between the Academy and the Inn.

The elevation of Wilberty Schutt as head of boath The Inn and dining hall, and the addition of Jame Kurz to the Inn management will result in iprovement in the services offered visitors, parents, alumni, and cadets., he said. Schuttes long experience in the food business and Kurz many years in the business world will bec combined for a better relationship between the Academy and the Inn and ecellent services for guests.

Although Schutte's primary training was in business administration he has spent 28 years in the foods business. He spent three years with Statler Hotels, Ic. and in APril of the next year her will celebrate his twenty-fifth year with the Stouffer organization.

Schuutte began with Stouffer as a student manager in Cleveland. and then was made executive assistant manager of the first Stouffer Restraurant in Chicago, opened in 1941 at Randaloph and Wabash. He was manager of Stouffer operstions in Pittsburgh, Minneapolis and Philadelphia before taking over as manager of the Academy dining hall in 1958. Schutte served as president of the Western Pennsylvannia Restaurant Association for two term.

Kurz, who joined the administrative staff in 1961 to work on the Program for Excellence funding raising campaign, will continue as secretary of the Culver SUmmer Schools ALumni Association when he takes over as manager of the Inn under Schutte in the spring. Kurz is a graduate of Beloit Wis. College and the Culver Summer Schools. Before joining the staff Kurz was engaged in advertising, public relations and fund-raising activities. The Culver Inn and Motel are located on the shores of Lake Maxinkuckee and on the campus of Culver Military Academy, nationally known college preparatory school.

In taking over the Inn management, Schutte and Kurz will arrange for conventions and business meeting. The Culver In has 14 rooms, while the complete aircondition Motel has 64 untis. Available for conventions,business meetings, parties and receptions are many of the facilities of the Academy. These include the 1,500 seat auditorium, a smaller 300 seat theater, complete dining facilities, meeting rooms, and such recreation activities as tennis, golf, swimming and boating.

The dinding hall sevres 850 cadets from September to June and 1,600 boys who are enrolled in the Culver SUmmer Schools during July and August.

1963 - Oct 2 - William Schutte, manager of the dinning hall of the Culver Military Academy, was honroed for his 25 years of serivce with Stouffer Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio - the firm operates the dining hall at the academy with Mr. Schutte as manager.

During this period when the academy contracted the dining hall out to the Stouffer Corporation the academy recieved funds for "Special Milk Program for Children schools and child care institutions" and was involved in a controversy of whether being qualified to recieve such funds - which was found in "Decisions of The Comptroller of the United States VOLUME 46 JULY 1 1966 TO JUNE 30 1967 pg 6-11"

1970'S Academy decided to hire the Saga Corporation to take over the food services (Dining Hall) the top few people were After a few years, the administration felt Saga wasn’t living up to its promises, and their contract wasn’t renewed. Thus the Academy resumed full control of the food services.

1986 - The Lay Dining Hall renovation in 1986 was a gift to the school in mormory of Herman W. Lay Sr. by his wife Amelia Lay Hodges, and son H. Ward Lay Jr. H. Ward Lay Jr. ('64) and his mother also dedicated the Lay Student center in memory of H. Ward Jr's son., H. Ward II ('84) who died just weeks after his graduation from the Academey . ( Herman Warden Lay Sr founder of H.W. Lay Co., Inc., now part of the Frito-Lay corporation; Herman Warden Lay Jr., was a Dallas-based co-founder of a bottling company in Mexico for Pepsi and 7 Up).

1986, the lower level of the Dining Hall was remodeled and the Bookdstore AKA QM Store was given the space at the west end. From 1911 various of activities occupied the lower level: the Academy library 1912-1924; a canteen; bowling alley; YMCA office and model train layout.

In 1986, structural flaws in the sub-floor required its demolition. It was replaced exactly as in the original colors and design

About the old Snack Bar moved over(c1991 when the Culver Inn was demolished to where it is now. The snack bar employees lost ALL of their seniority, one of which had 40 years! Everyone went back to zero and the food service employees were treated so poorly, that is why they ultimately brought in the union to the dining hall/snack barbr>
In the lower level of the Lay Student Center is The Student Center contains a snack bar, game room, a TV room, and the Campus Store. In 2001, they again tried to shop it around for a vendor. No takers. Lots of companies came and put in bids but in the end they remained self-operating.

2011 - Saw renovation and a name chane to the "Lay Dining Center" Weigand Construction done the expansion and renovation of the Mess/Dining Hall. The Lay family name now graces

Culver school starts program to reduce food waste and feed hungry people Five days a week, dining hall staff work with student waiters to turn leftover food into microwaveable meals that go to places like Meals on Wheels and the Culver Food Pantry. Culver Academies worked with the Marshall County Food Policy Council to make sure the packaging followed all regulations. Culver has also partnered with a local dairy farm to repurpose its food scraps into energy

2018 - May - There is rumor that the Academy is once again turning to outsourcing the dining hall/snack bar; implied is that the employees will no longer be employees of the Academy but of the food service company which is yet to be hired - loosing all seniority and benefits.
2018 - Dec 15 - FLIK takes of management of the Dining hall and Shack

An online ad for - Director of DInning Services, Sr. Location: Culiver Academies - Culver, Indiana states:
Flik Independent School Dining has been the innovator of private and independent school foodservice to 220 communities during the past four decades. Our dedicated team of associates are committed to providing quality foodservice every time. Meals prepared from fresh ingredients support local and sustainable agricultural practices. We go above and beyond foodservice by offering nutrition education programs that empower students to make healthy choices on a daily basis. By providing wholesome meals in conjunction with nutrition education, we re equipping students with the tools needed to live a happy, healthy life. That s Nourishing a Brighter Future!
Another on line ad for Attendant, Catering - 12 openings at Culver Academies states:
At FLIK, our operating philosophy is centered on three essential factors: great food, great service and great people. A FLIK Family-Then & Now. Great Food and Great Service are only possible with Great People behind the scenes. FLIK’s steadfast dedication to the training and support of our associates continues to nourish our vision and growth. Dedication, diligence, operational excellence and hands-on expertise are FLIK trademarks – only achievable through the work of our team of professionals. We embark on a relationship with every FLIK associate that provides, demonstrates and cherishes growth, education and ongoing mentoring – today and every day.

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