The original college barn for the Durham campus, designed by George H. Whitcher, director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, was a model of the latest theories and practices in agricultural. However, local farmers were wary of the grandiose structure that they said was "fixed up as nice, outside and in, as our houses are" and they soon dubbed it 'Whitcher's Folly'. It burned down in 1894 and was replaced by a less extravagant building.

The Story of the first graduation in Durham

"In May, 1892, Professor Pettee approached the members of the '92 Class and informed them that the corner stone of Thompson Hall was to be laid soon at Durham with appropriate ceremonies, and he would like to have our graduating exercises as part of the program.

We left Hanover in the morning of the selected date, arriving at Durham a little before noon and went directly to the barn. There we were served our alumni dinner on the second floor. At 1 o'clock we gathered at the site of the corner stone at the front left-hand corner of Thompson Hall. Soon after we gathered, a sudden heavy shower was pelting us, so we made a hasty retreat back to the barn, it being the nearest and only building on the campus.

After taking a good look at the class and the layout of the lower floor, Prof. Pettee decided to back us into the corner of the calf pen and present us with our diplomas as part of the exercises." -Edward M. Stone, Class of 1892