Reid Hall History: A Chronicle of Vision and Innovation

Please join us for a reception after the event.

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This event will be held in English.

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Discover the rich and often surprising history of Reid Hall by exploring the overlooked contributions of the female artists, radicals, and visionaries who forged parallel power structures and helped define and direct its future.

The Reid Hall History Project presentation will first highlight two women whose philanthropic contributions shaped 4 rue Chevreuse: Elisabeth Mills Reid and Helen Rogers Reid.

To begin, Brunhilde Biebuyck, Director of Reid Hall and the Paris Global Center, will trace the Reid family lineage back to Elizabeth Mills Reid, the namesake of Reid Hall, who purchased the property in 1911 and transformed it—both architecturally and intellectually—into the vibrant, socially engaged center for arts and scholarship that we know today.

Next, in celebration of the pioneering vision and achievements of Helen Rogers Reid, the woman who left a lasting mark on this historic space through her gift of Reid Hall to Columbia University in 1964, her granddaughter, Mary Louise Taylor, will share her grandmother’s inspiring legacy.

Lastly, a surprise guest will pay tribute to the numerous women artists who lived at 4 Rue de Chevreuse between 1893 and 1914, many of whom later achieved distinguished careers in the United States.

This evening of storytelling marks the launch of a new miniseries produced by , Reid Hall’s podcast, which will focus on the stories of specific women who both lived and created here.

These three 15-minute presentations will be followed by a 20-minute panel, moderated by Marie Doezema, Senior Special Projects Manager at the Paris Global Center, and finally an audience Q&A.

Podcast miniseries launch

Discover the untold stories of the remarkable women who shaped Reid Hall from the 19th to the 21st century. Each episode will focus on one woman's life and accomplishments. From artists and scientists, to philanthropists and scholars, the “Women of Reid Hall” podcast ensures that these women's contributions will not be forgotten.

Hosted by Brunhilde Biebuyck, Director of Reid Hall and the Columbia Global Paris Center, the series will draw upon research undertaken in conjunction with the former Western European Humanities Librarian at Columbia University. This research, spanning over 6 years, has culminated into an ever-evolving website, one that maps out the many iterations and secrets of 4 rue de Chevreuse.

1964 – 2024: Celebrating 60 Years of Columbia at Reid Hall

2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the gift of Reid Hall to Columbia University by Helen Rogers Reid. Today, the space houses the Columbia Global Paris Center, the Institute for Ideas and Imagination, the longstanding undergraduate programs, and Columbia’s M.A. in History and Literature program. Please join us as we celebrate this milestone. 

View the full anniversary program on our website.

Venue

Nestled in the Montparnasse district, Reid Hall hosts several Columbia University initiatives: the Columbia Global Paris Center, the Institute for Ideas and Imagination, the Columbia Undergraduate Programs, the M.A. in History and Literature, and the GSAPP Shape of Two Cities Program. This unique combination of resources is enhanced by our global network whose mission is to expand the University's engagement with the world through educational programs, research initiatives, regional partnerships, and public events.

This event will take place in Reid Hall’s Grande Salle Ginsberg-LeClerc, built in 1912 and extensively renovated in 2023 thanks to the generous support of Judith Ginsberg and Paul LeClerc.

The views and opinions expressed by speakers and guests do not necessarily reflect the official policies or positions of the Columbia Global Paris Center or its affiliates.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Reid Hall, 4 Rue de Chevreuse, Paris, France