With the adoption of the collegiate charter in 1888 Mount Holyoke began a new era. As other new and better-endowed institutions began to move away from the central housing model pioneered by Mary Lyon and toward the “cottage” housing system, Mount Holyoke found itself at a disadvantage. Then, in September of 1896, the Seminary building was destroyed by fire. President Elizabeth Mead turned this disaster to advantage with an amazing fundraising and building program that revitalized the institution and it rose from the ashes a year later stronger and ready to move into the next century.