Ainsworth Hall is home to Norwich University’s School of Criminology and Justice, including the university’s renowned Criminal Justice program. Built in 1910, the structure originally served as a United States Weather Bureau before returning to university ownership in 1948. Visitors can still see the building’s distinctive cupola crowned with an ornate weather vane, a nod to its early meteorological purpose.
History
Erected in 1910 on Norwich’s campus, the building operated for decades as a U.S. Weather Bureau facility. Following its return to Norwich University in 1948, Ainsworth Hall was used as the university’s administrative headquarters. It later became the campus infirmary and adopted the Ainsworth name.
The original Ainsworth Infirmary was established in 1915 through the generosity of Mrs. Laura Ainsworth, widow of Capt. James E. Ainsworth (NU 1853) — a distinguished civil engineer credited with building more than 2,000 miles of railroad track throughout the Midwest.