1954 New Hall founded

The admission of women to the University in 1948 led to discussions on how the University could increase the numbers of female undergraduates and research workers. One option was to increase the endowments of Girton and Newnham to allow them to take more students. The alternative was to establish a third College. At that time it was apparantly unthinkable to consider allowing women to become members of a male college.

The second of these options was adopted, and in 1952 the Third Foundation Association was established with Dame Myra Curtis, the Principal of Newnham, as Chairman. The name quickly changed to become the New Hall Association, which then turned into a limited company. it rented a house on the corner of Queens' Road and Sidgwick Avenue, now part of Darwin College.

It opened in 1954 as a "Recognised Institution for Women", with Miss A R Murray as the Tutor, one other fellow, and 16 undergraduates. Funds were raised, which eventually in 1962 enabled building work to start on the present College building in Huntington Road.

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