[3][4][5][2][6][7][8] During World War II, it was part of the United States Naval Reserve Midshipmen's School, and in 1972 it became one of the first two residence halls at Notre Dame to host women.

[20][21] A few years later, the Manual Labor School was moved on wheels to the present location of Badin Hall.

[26][31] Due to the conversion from a profitable institution to non-profit with an academic focus, the Manual Labor School was abolished and St. Joseph Hall was converted to a men's university dormitory in 1917.

[26][32][15][11][8] It underwent major expansion, including two wings that were added at the cost of $20,000,[4][33][8] and it was renamed Badin Hall, in honor of Rev.

[34][26][7][35] Stephen Badin was the first priest ordained in the United States, and was the previous owner of the land on which the university was built.

[39][11] It was the first restaurant on the campus of Notre Dame, breaking a 75 year long tradition of all student eating in the school refectory.

[2] From the very beginning, the men of Badin Hall organized in interhall sports, a trademark activity of Notre Dame students.

[44] In 1931, the university bookstore, previously located in Main Building, was relocated to the south half of the lower floor of Badin Hall,[45] a space that had undergone a variety of uses; first it was a refectory, then a classroom, and then a recreation room for the members of the Congregation of Holy Cross.

[52] This provided the Navy with space and resources for training, while it helped the university recover from the loss in income and enrollment due to World War II.

[10][56][57] Renovations for the transition to a woman's dorm included increased storage facilities and more washing and drying equipment.

The chapel features stained glass windows from the early 20th century, donated by alumni Charles Hayes and Jon Ritten and originally designed by Franz Xaver Zettler in Munich, Germany, and restored from an old Chicago convent.

[64] The renovated chapel was built in Notre Dame brick, as the main building itself was, that was rescued from the demolition of Brownson and Corby Halls.

It is built in yellow brick, three story high, and features a large porch and a balcony on the eastern side.

Graduates participate in the traditional “Porch Picture” in their cap and gowns, which they often recreate when returning to campus in future years for reunions.

[72] Other events put on by the hall include "A Conscious Christmas" in the winter and the "Polar Bear Plunge" each February in order to raise money for their South Bend charity partner: St. Margaret's House.