The Ronj

The Ronj, also known as "Le Ronj," is the student-run, on-campus coffee house at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. It is located in Ross House at 32 Frye Street, between two student residence halls, Frye House and Wilson House and across the street from the studios of Bates College radio station WRBC.

History of Ross House
Ross House was initially built around 1871 and was owned and occupied by Professor Richard Stanley, a professor of chemistry and geology from 1866-1889. President George C. Chase, after coming to Bates, lived there for a short period of time. Finally, in 1939, Bates bought the house from the Stanley family to use as housing for its faculty members. College treasurer Norman Ross '22 lived with his family in what is now Ross House in his honor for 72 years. After he and his wife passed away, the College administration decided to create a student-run coffee house as a new space for the students to kick it in. It was dubbed the "Ronj" for the orange color of the walls on the first floor.

The Origins of the Ronj
The Ronj started out as a relatively exclusive hang out for those involved with the art program at Bates, but it has now evolved to draw customers from the entirety of campus. The formerly free standing garage is now the Purple Room (the Thunderdome), which is used for performances and as a movie venue, and the Pool Room above it, now with two billiards tables. The Purple Room hosts performances by the Strange Bedfellows and the a cappella groups on campus as well as outside musical acts.

Links
The Ronj on Bates College's website
An panoramic view of the entry way
An Article from a Bates Alumni publication about the Ronj when first established

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