"The Poet's Shack" "The Poet's Shack" was built as a writing studio for the prolific poet Percy MacKaye, who held the position of writer-in-residence at Miami University from 1920-1924. MacKaye requested a writing studio in the woods, a simple shack with a fire where faculty or students could gather to talk with the poet or hear his newest works. MacKaye's studio was built on Miami's lower campus – now known as Bishop Woods after first president Robert Hamilton Bishop – where Upham Hall stands today. Students called the structure "The Poet's Shack."