PURNELL HALL, named for Dr. William H. Purnell (President 1870-85), is a two-and-a-half-story dwelling with ivy-covered exterior walls of Flemish-bond brick. It was once known as the (John) Watson Evans House, and in recent years has been used as a fraternity house, a general library, and the eastern wing as a dentist's office. It now houses the departments of English and History. The architecture of the edifice is distinguished by a dignified entrance doorway which arched and traceried fanlight and by fine interior woodwork--paneling, mantels and doors--much of which is original -Delaware: A Guide to the First State, 1938, pg. 227.
Purnell Hall was renamed Alumni Hall in 1970 when a new Purnell Hall was constructed to house the business college. The building now houses the offices for Alumni and University Relations for the University of Delaware.