Established in 1939 at 405 Abbot Road, Hedrick is the oldest student Cooperative in the US. It was named after Wilbur O. Hedrick, a professor at Michigan State College and pioneer of East Lansing Co-ops. In 1954, Hedrick burned down while the Spartans were playing in the Rose Bowl. Later, a new house was built by June 1956 at 140 Collingwood. The "Hedrick Empire" eventually extended to 146 Colling
wood (now Ferency), and 152 Collingwood(now Miles). Members of Hedrick were instrumental in establishing new student Co-ops in East Lansing, and were among the first to support the establishment of the Student Housing Corporation in 1969. Hedrick is the oldest student owned cooperative in the country. The first student housing cooperative in the United States to own its own building was Hedrick Cooperative at what was then Michigan State College in East Lansing, Michigan. In 1939, male students with sponsorship from the Independent Men's League (IML), YMCA, and the Agriculture Council of MSC, established a housing co-op at 405 Abbott Street in East Lansing. Other student cooperatives were in existence at this time, though none owned their houses. In fact, this co-op was modeled after similar institutions at the University of Michigan (read Two-Dollar House ). Membership was open to any male student who matched their requirements for "good character, willingness to cooperate with other members, and a scholastic average of 1.0 or better" (Hedrick Scrapbook, page 1). Each member paid a $10 deposit and a $10 loan to the house, which was refunded when the house became self-sustaining, in addition to room and board charges of $5.50 per week. Dr. Orion Ulrey, a cooperative specialist at the College, assisted members in planning, and their plans for the house were approved by Dean Fred. Just before Christmas 1939, the men acquired, remodeled and bought furniture for their house, performing all work themselves. Equipment and furnishings were approved by the home economics department of MSC, and were bought with members' funds. Intended to cost about one third less than other housing options available to students at the time, the co-op required members to perform housekeeping, cooking, maintenance and organization. Each resident had specific household duties ranging from "potato peeling or running a vacuum cleaner to keeping books" (Hedrick scrapbook, page 2).A typical dinner menu from the time included "pork chops, potatoes, tomato and lettuce salad, gingerbread, milk and coffee" (Hedrick scrapbook, page 2). The co-op was named in honor of Wilbur O. Hedrick who was among the first people ever to teach a college course in the cooperative principles. A graduate of MSC in 1891, Hedrick was a professor at the college for over 53 years, though he became semi-retired in 1934. he was first an assistant professor of history and political economy (1893). He also taught economics, American constitutional history, English history, civil government, and logic, psychology, ethics. He was a popular professor. Always interested in furthering the cooperative movement, Hedrick published two bulletins on a regular basis: one on Michigan Cooperative Grain Elevators, and another on Michigan Cooperative Creameries. Additionally, he was a founder of the Campus Bookstore. Though the co-op was not part of the College, a strong link was maintained through a 12 member faculty advisory board. The formal dedication of the house was on Sunday, January 28, 1940, with Mr. and Mrs. Hedrick present as honored guests. A banquet was held at noon, and an open house lasted from three to six p.m. Founding members are as follows:
Name and Position
Ron Jackson house manager
Donald Goss secretary
Bernie Oosting treasurer
Robert Johnson purchasing agent
Al Penfold cook
Norman Crout steward
Bill Anderson
Leland Bradley
Jerry Centilla
Bruce Crowe
Bob Fulford
Al Kurts
Jacob Lusch
Al Menzer
Wallace Muczinski
Herb Pifer
In 1941 moved from 405 Abbott Street to another house at 903 East Grand River (across from Mason and Abbott halls). This move enable the membership to increase from 16 to 24 co-opers. The number of boarders also increased. This new house was financed on a long-term basis, but the capital necessary for the down payment and new furniture was raised by loans from individual members. The house president for the first session in the new house was Don Goss, a business administration senior. Hedrick Co-op saw its first wedding ceremony in 1947 when co-op member Thomas Karpovich married Marilyn Buhl in a ceremony in the living room. The service was officiated by the Reverend M.E. McCullough of the Peoples Church, and the attendants included Mrs. Elton Peigols, wife of an honorary house member, and Don J. Stogebar from Dearborn, a friend of the groom's from the Army. Guests and house residents were served refreshments after the ceremony, and Wesley Davey sang "I Love You Truly" and "The Lord's Prayer" to the newlyweds. In 1949, Hedrick celebrated its Tenth Anniversary with a big birthday celebration and dance on October 22. Members celebrated a successful battle against housemothers, which were going to be required by college administrators [See Housemother Project]. The Spartans played Penn State in football, and co-opers followed the game with a meeting of the Premier Student Housing Corporation. The next Sunday a large dinner was held and folks attended a "folk-sing" afterward. House members during the Fall 1949 session included:
Name Year Position
Lou Buffham Senior
Ed Chamberlain Senior
Carl Christensen Senior Secretary - President of ICC
Walt Chun Senior
Rudy Culik Graduate Educational Chair
Harold Day Senior
Bill Espie Senior Treasurer
Jim Fazio Junior
Lyman Freimans Junior
Wayne Geyer Sophomore Membership Chair
Don Ho Junior
Art Jarvis Senior House Manager
Lee Jolgren Junior
Bill Kennedy Junior Public Relations Officer
John Lenosky Freshman
Ed Lord Sophomore
Rusty McIntosh Sophomore
John Nara Junior Social Chair
Glenn Peterson Graduate
Jim Pollard Junior
Gerald Smith Senior
Bob Smith Graduate
Joe Sweeney Senior Corresponding Secretary
Russ Weaver Senior
Gil Whitney Senior Purchasing Agent
Dick Woelfle Junior
Harold Wong
Paul Worthington Junior
Ray Yeutter Senior
Catastrophe struck on January 1, 1954, while the Spartans were playing the Rose Bowl, Hedrick Co-op burned [cool photos in Hedrick scrapbook]. The cause was attributed to be an over-heated furnace. All 26 members were left homeless and many lost all of their personal possessions (including a veterinary student from Jamaica who lost all of his reference books and microscope). The College community responded quickly, however. The Christian Student Foundation held a benefit drive, other co-ops volunteered to feed members of Hedrick, and the YMCA opened their kitchens to them for lunch. Some of them ate at the College House. The East Lansing Merchants Association arranged for discounts at area stores. The co-opers lived in Quonset huts on campus set up to handle the large number of students returning from World War II. By January 27, members of Hedrick bought and moved into another house at 335 East Grand River. The house, former home of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, had eight rooms on each of two upper floors, and living, dining, study and kitchen spaces on the ground floor. Some of the members at this time included:
Name Year Hometown Position
Jim Ostler Senior Saginaw
Al Alexander Junior Akron, Ohio
Bert Osen Junior Saint Clare Shores
John Cook Sophomore Oak Hill, West Virginia Secretary
By June 1956, the members of Hedrick were constructing a new house at 140 Haslett. This new co-op will house 25 people and opened for the fall 1956 session. Members will spend 5 hours per week on House Duty. At this time, Hedrick was one of seven men's cooperative houses. By the late 1960s, Hedrick's goals included establishing a newspaper to keep alumni informed of current house events, increasing newspaper and magazine subscriptions, maintain an average house grade point average of 2.5 or better. Hedrick offered spacious recreation areas and free snacks, and held the Intramural All-Sports Trophy. Hedrick House is currently located at 140 Collingwood, right across from campus. For more information on our house, please message us! We would love to get in touch with alumni or interested party regarding current and future projects, ways to get involved, donate, or live in our home!
