Wofford College Goodall Environmental Studies Center
Overlooking the Lawson’s Fork of the Pacolet River, and set in the historic textile mill town of Glendale, the Goodall Environmental Studies Center is the hub of activities for the Wofford College Environmental Studies program. From the vantage point of this restored mill building, students have on-the-ground, real-time interactions with the natural and cultural issues they read about in the classroom.
Over time, the center will develop as a locus of long-term environmental reflection, embodied in a series of ledger books and student project archives.
A central great room is used as a gathering place for students, faculty and community members to come together to learn about topics such as environmental writing, sustainable living and workshops in the history, geography and culture of the Glendale community from Wofford faculty and experts from around the world. A library and office space house program materials and serve as a base of operations for managing the use of the Glendale Building.
The Environmental Studies Center contains two laboratory spaces for research ranging from toxicology studies in biology and chemistry courses to natural history surveys of flora and fauna. The Auto Bell Car Wash Laboratory is equipped with bench space, fume hood, chemical storage, safety shower and eye wash. The B.G. Stephens Laboratory may be entered from the deck or the central great room. It is equipped for work with biological samples and sediment processing, and has cold sample storage space as well as hanging storage for waders.
A large deck on the back of the building will soon be constructed to be used for classes, seminars, and other activities, and a garden is now under construction that will contain a pollinator garden, a native grape vineyard, a bog, and herb, berry, and heirloom vegetable beds. The garden will be open to the public and available for class room use.
Sustainability features incorporated into the building restoration and renovation include state-of-the-art efficient heating and air conditioning systems, employment of creek water for the dual-flush commodes, and use of some of the building’s original furnishings.