In the late 19th century, the Chequamegon area did not have a high school. After much debate, local residents decided to build a Christian school in Ashland where students would learn both traditional subjects as well as practical trades.

Even though the school was a high school, people frequently referred to it as a "college." In 1906, the school reorganized slightly and added college courses to its academic offerings. Over the next few years as the number of local high schools increased, the school transitioned to college level education, and eventually changed its name to Northland College.

By 1938, Northland College needed a new library. The college hired local architect Thomas Shefchik, designer of Memorial Hall on the Northland campus, to design the building. The new library was a one-and-a-half story red brick Colonial Revival building that was based on the 1932 reconstruction of Wakefield Mansion, the Virginia birthplace of George Washington. Wakefield Hall is slightly smaller than its namesake, but looks nearly identical from the exterior. The interiors are very different, however, as Wakefield Hall was built to be a library.

Interestingly, Wakefield Hall was built with the plan that when a larger library was needed, the building would become offices. A new library was completed in 1969, and Wakefield Hall was converted into administrative offices for Northland College. It currently serves as the Admissions Office and is opened during school hours.