Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum

The term Athenaeum is derived from the name of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, and the classical temple in Athens named to honor her, frequented by orators, poets and scholars. A gift from trustee Marian Miner Cook, whose husband established the John Brown Cook Association for Freedom at CMC in 1978, helped make possible the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum. Construction of the building was completed in September of 1983. At the time, Marian Miner Cook remarked that she and Mr. Cook "had a challenging and exciting life" and "hoped the Athenaeum would help students to experience similar intellectual challenges and excitement." The Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum soon fulfilled its promise as a collegial environment for social and intellectual interaction. Its chief purpose is to provide a cultural, social, and academic center for the interchange of ideas between CMC students, faculty, and community guests. Here the students preparing to become the leaders of tomorrow have the opportunity to meet the leaders of today. The Athenaeum is also home to the Family of Benjamin Z. Gould Center for Humanistic Studies and the Roberts Environmental Center, two of the College's distinctive research institutes and centers. You can view a 360-degree panorama of the Ath's main dining room here.