in late 1895, a meeting of the gainesville, ga., townspeople discussed the need for a new auditorium. dr. a.w. van hoose and dr. haywood jefferson pearce, president of brenau university from 1893-1943, asked the community to lend brenau us$10,000 without interest for five years for the construction of an auditorium. the funds were raised in a short period, and the contract for the construction was signed april 1, 1896.