Our History

A Place to Call Home

Conception

Buchanan Alumni House was conceived as a “place to call home” for alumni and friends; a warm and welcoming building showcasing the University of Maine.  Funded entirely with private gifts in a landmark capital campaign by the University of Maine Foundation and the University of Maine Alumni Association, Buchanan Alumni House symbolizes the excellence of our state’s flagship campus; the achievements of our outstanding alumni; and the aspirations of our exceptional students.  It is the front door to campus, and captures the enormous pride alumni and Maine residents feel for “dear old MAINE.”

Opening

With its opening in 2002, the dream of having an alumni house became a reality.  From its handsome Georgian exterior perfectly matched to UMaine’s historic architecture, to its spacious and elegantly appointed interiors, Buchanan Alumni House has met – and indeed exceeded – our highest expectations.  Built and maintained entirely through private monies, Buchanan Alumni House is truly a “Place to Call Home” for more than 100,000 alumni and friends of the University.

The Robert D. Buchanan Alumni House celebrated its 10th anniversary during Reunion Weekend in June 2012. In the first ten years of operation alone, Buchanan Alumni House hosted over 4,300 events with more than 130,000 people in attendance.  In that same time period, we were privileged to help introduce over 40,000 potential students and their guests to campus as they began their campus tour at Buchanan.  These first ten years also saw over 700 student-led events that introduced future alumni to our house and their home.  Buchanan Alumni House’s exceptional spaces have become the preferred location for many meetings, presentations, workshops, and other events.