Originally constructed in 1912, the Carpenter was an important, thriving hotel for over five decades prior to conversion to a college dorm in the 1970's. It was virtually abandoned and the object of insensitive alteration, vandalism and decay for most of the 80's and 90's.

The Carpenter has now been restored to its original appearance. Working primarily from a historical photograph and utilizing information about construction techniques used in the early 1900's, designs were prepared and colors selected for each individual element of the facade