The College of Arts and Sciences was established as Syracuse University’s founding college in 1870. From 1871 to 1873 classes were held in the Myers block (East Genesee and Montgomery Streets).
The Hall of Languages, 1873
On May 8, 1873, students and faculty assembled for the last time at the Myers block in downtown Syracuse, New York. They walked in formal procession to "Piety Hill" to dedicate their first campus building. This was the Hall of Languages, now affectionately known as "HL".
According to Professor Harley J. McKee, several architects submitted plans for the building, including W.L. Woollett of Albany and Archimedes Russell of Syracuse. The trustees ultimately chose Horatio Nelson White's Second Empire design.
The Hall of Languages from University Place, 1873
Constructed under the tenure of SU's first Chancellor, Alexander Winchell, the Hall of Languages was built of Onondaga limestone in the then-popular Second Empire style at a cost of $136,000.
Holden Observatory (left) and the Hall of Languages (right), 1887
The Hall of Languages opened its doors in 1873. It is Syracuse University's first and oldest building on campus. It stood as Syracuse University's sole structure for 14 years until 1887 when the Holden Observatory was erected. |
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Originally, there were to be six more buildings erected in the same style, including the Hall of Science, the Hall of Philosophy, and the Hall of History. A harsh economic recession ended those plans, however, leaving the Hall of Languages as the sole monument to the University's earliest campus plan.
Grading the Old Oval behind the Hall of Languages, 1895
The Hall of Languages housed the entire university for sixteen years. A chapel occupied the central portion of the top floor, and two towers held water tanks in case of fire, a necessity in buildings with a wooden floor system. In 1886 the main or central tower was added. A central cupola with a clock was added in 1887.
The name "John Dustin Archbold College of Liberal Arts" was placed into the arch at the front entrance in 1874 to honor the Standard Oil executive who was a University trustee and benefactor.
The Atrium of the Hall of Languages, 2006
In 1979, the interior of HL was completely remodeled to its present configuration. The Hall of Languages has been the home of The College of Liberal Arts from its beginning, although other schools and departments have also occupied the edifice.
As the current home of The College of Arts and Sciences, the Hall of Languages retains its elegant exterior architecture. The Hall of Languages now provides classrooms that can accommodate 2,235 students and offices for many departments, including English and textual studies, philosophy, and religion. |
