Mary M. Reid Hall

Honoree

Mary Martha Reid was born in Georgia in 1812, the daughter of Captain James and Mary Smith. She married Judge Robert Raymond Reid in 1836, not long before he was named Territorial Governor by President Martin Van Buren. The Reids had three sons, two of which died very young, following their father in 1941.

Their only surviving son, Raymond, joined the Confederate Army, and Mary served with distinction as a matron of the Florida Hospital. In recognition of her contributions to the war effort, the first Florida Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy was named in her honor. In order to support herself, Mary established a school in Palatka at the end of the war.

Facility History

The University of Florida admitted 500 women for the first time in 1947. In prior years (1924-46), women were allowed to take classes at UF that were not offered at the Florida State College for Women (FSU). Mallory, Reid and Yulee Halls were built to house new students and to replace off-campus housing that was overcrowded, had poor study conditions and charged excessive rent. Reid Hall opened in 1950 at a cost of $514,760.

Reid Hall is part of the Broward/Rawlings/Yulee Residence Area. It's near an outdoor swimming pool, a series of tennis courts and a large grassy area dubbed "Broward Beach" where students and residents meet to enjoy the sun. In close proximity is the Broward Dining Facility.