1940s
Post-war expansion brought consolidation under one roof and a transition toward Rutgers stewardship, signaling a new era of institutional growth and continuity.
1940s
A New Home and a New Era
As World War II ended, institutional leaders made a strategic investment in Camden’s educational future. In 1946, Arthur Armitage purchased the Ayer Mansion (406 Penn Street) to house the College of South Jersey and build a new law school facility. By 1949, Rutgers University temporarily assumed stewardship of both institutions, setting the stage for a formal merger that would change the campus’s trajectory.
Key Milestones
- 1946 — Ayer Mansion purchased; law and liberal arts programs consolidated on Penn Street
- 1949 — Rutgers assumes temporary control of the South Jersey Law School and College of South Jersey
Looking Back at the 1940s
1946 — Ayer Mansion Purchased
Arthur Armitage acquires 406 Penn Street, consolidating programs under one roof and signaling a new era of growth for Camden’s educational institutions.
1949 — Rutgers Era Begins
Rutgers temporarily assumes control of the South Jersey Law School and College of South Jersey, paving the way for a formal merger.