Historic Mount Allison: Normandy Hall (1946-1970) & Ortona Hall (1947-1968)

Mount Allison University saw a massive influx of veterans following the end of the Second World War, leading to a lack of adequate housing and a shift in demographic. Many veterans were married with children and needed more space than was offered by the cramped single rooms available in the existing residences.

To address this growing issue, Mount Allison resolved to build two new apartment buildings on campus. Each consisted of 16 three-room apartments and were named after battles in which Canadian soldiers had played a prominent role during the war. Normandy Hall, located at the foot of Rectory Lane behind the male academy, accepted veterans with children, while Ortona Hall, located on the southeast corner of York and Salem Streets near Trueman House, took married veterans without children. Those not able to be placed in one of the 32 apartments were helped to find accommodation elsewhere in the Town of Sackville.

Ortona Hall was demolished in 1968 and Normandy Hall in 1970.