Rochdale Cooperative House, Purdue University
Rochdale Cooperative was founded in 1936 alongside Shoemaker Cooperative, with support from R.B. Stewart, as part of the creation of the Purdue Student Housing Corporation. Together, these houses helped establish cooperative housing at Purdue University - an effort inspired by Rochdale, England, where the cooperative started in the 19th century.
More than 700 men called Rochdale home between 1936 and 1998. The house operated at its original location on Waldron Street until 1968, then moved to the large residence known as Shotstone Manor on Northwestern Avenue until 1998. Stewart Cooperative resides in the structure today.
Rochdale 90th Reunion, August 8th, 2026
Main Event Saturday
Celebrate 90 years of Rochdale Cooperative House with a relaxed alumni reunion in Lafayette. The main event is a casual Saturday afternoon and evening gathering with dinner, music, and plenty of time to reconnect. Informal, optional activities are planned throughout the weekend for those making a longer visit.
Know Before You Go
You can just show up at the American Legion at 2:00 Saturday and all will be well. Arrive at the American Legion no later than 4:45 for the group photo. If you'd like to participate in the ancillary activities or stay overnight:
- Email Tom Campbell ASAP for golf Friday (spots may still be open)
- Contact Tim Williams if you’ll join the early motorcycle ride Saturday, Aug 8
- Reserve a room at the Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn, call for the Rochdale rate (room block (almost full)
- Get your Rochdale gear or make a donation at store.rochdalealumni.org
- Browse the House Composites, we’ll have a silent auction at the Reunion
- Email or upload any photos to share,
- Send me a favorite story or memory, we’ll work a few into the program
Weekend Schedule
WHO: Rochdale Alumni, Friends & Family
WHAT: Rochdale 90th Reunion
WHEN: Saturday, Aug 8, 2026, 2:00 - 11:00 pm
WHERE: American Legion Post 11, 1801 S 9th St, Lafayette, IN 47905
FRI AUG 7th
9:30 AM - Golf at Boilermaker Golf Complex, Tom Campbell PC ‘81 hosting
11:00 AM - Harry's Chocolate Shop meetup any time after 11:00 for lunch and drinks Kevin Hildebrand PC ’84 hosting
6:00 PM – Dinner in downtown Lafayette, Ralph Larson ’91 hosting
9:00 PM - Revelries on your own. Pace yourself! (urgent care locations)
SAT AUG 8th
9:00 AM - American Legion volunteer setup, Gary Edmondson PC ’74 hosting
10:00 AM - Stewart/Shotstone Manor tour, Ralph Larson PC ’91 hosting
12:00 PM - Pub Crawl at Peoples / Brokerage / Teays River breweries, Jim Gordon PC ’84 hosting. Details and RSVP.
2:00 PM - Rochdale 90th Reunion, Reunion Committee hosting
5:00 PM - Group Photo - Please arrive at the American Legion no later than 4:45 pm
5:30 PM - BBQ Dinner, American Legion, Reunion Committee hosting
7:00 PM – Program - remarks from alumni across several decades
8:00 PM – Music, Dancing, Euchre, Cornhole, Horseshoes, Sub-standards
11:00 PM – Reunion concludes, After Party at attendees’ discretion!
SUN AUG 9 (Optional)
Any Time - Self-Guided Campus Walking Tour, On your own, connect w/buddies via Alumni Directory. )
Hotel Information
Hotel Information
We have two discounted room blocks at Wabash Landing (the Levee). Call the group code or use the link below: Rooms are limited.
UPDATE JULY 28: Room blocks are almost full. Many hotels still available on I-65 & 26.
Hilton Garden Inn
356 E State St
West Lafayette, IN 47906
(765) 743-2100
Rochdale Rate: $149/night
Group Code: 910
Booking Link:
https://tiny.cc/rochdalegardeninn
Hampton Inn & Suites
160 Tapawingo Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47906
(765) 269-8000
Rochdale Rate: $169/night
Group Code: RDR
Booking Link:
https://tiny.cc/rochdalehamptoninn
If you will stay Thursday August 6th please call the hotels directly for the Rochdale rate.
Directions and Parking
From the intersection of Sagamore Parkway & US-52:
- Travel West on Teal Rd / US-52 for 1.6 miles
- Turn North (right) onto S 9th Street for 0.25 miles
- Turn East (right) into the American Legion parking lot
Overflow parking is available in the adjacent Presbyterian Church parking lot. Take the footbridge from the church lot across Durkee Creek to the American Legion.
American Legion Post 11
1801 S 9th St
Lafayette, IN 47905
Optional Weekend Activities - Pace Yourself!
Rochdale Golf Outing
Harry's Chocolate Shop
Harry's Chocolate Shop
Friday 9:30 am
Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex
We've organized a golf outing at the Kampen Course. Tee times are between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., green fee is $100 including cart and alumni discount. There *may* be spots available, email Tom Campbell if interested.
Organizer: Tom Campbell
Harry's Chocolate Shop
Harry's Chocolate Shop
Harry's Chocolate Shop
Friday 11:00 am or Later
329 W State St, West Lafayette, IN 47906
Meet up at Harry's Chocolate Shop any time after 11:00. Hang out in the fishbowl, admire the old Rochdale sign, and catch up before dinner. Summer classes end that Friday. Kevin Hildebrand is arriving at opening to stake out a few tables, email him to join the advance team.
Organizer: Kevin Hildebrand
Friday Evening Dinner
Harry's Chocolate Shop
Friday Evening Dinner
Friday 6:00 pm (approx.)
Downtown Lafayette
Casual dinner near campus or downtown Lafayette. Email Ralph with suggestions. We’ve got several spots reserved and will finalize once we have a better sense of July road construction.
Organizer: Ralph Larson
Raider Motorcycle Ride
Raider Motorcycle Ride
Raider Motorcycle Ride
Saturday 9:00 am (approx.)
Greater Lafayette
Tim Williams, PC '76, is organizing a morning Raider Ride around campus early Saturday before the reunion activities begin. Email Tim if you ride and will be bringing your bike.
Organizer: Tim Williams
Shotstone Manor Tour
Raider Motorcycle Ride
Raider Motorcycle Ride
10:00 am Saturday
800 Northwestern Avenue
Stewart Cooperative has invited us for a tour of 800 Northwestern on Saturday morning, including their new expansion project. Ralph Larson is helping coordinate, email with questions.
Organizer: Ralph Larson
Pub Crawl
Raider Motorcycle Ride
Pub Crawl
12:00 pm Saturday
Brokerage > People's > Teays River
Jim “Rudy Lee” Gordon is organizing the pub crawl for PC ’84 and anyone else interested. The group will start at Brokerage Brewing Company, then continue to People’s Brewing and Teays River Brewing before ending at the American Legion.
Email Rudy Lee for details.
Organizer: Jim Gordon