Built amidst the vibrant spirit of Syracuse University, the Hall of Languages, in all its grandeur, was designed by Horatio Nelson White in the Second Empire architectural style. This grand project, lovingly crafted between 1871 and 1873, was the university's very first home. The building's foundation, beautifully laid by Jesse Truesdell Peck on August 31, 1871, was meticulously dedicated by Edmund S. James on May 8, 1873. The iconic structure, akin to the Gridley Building in Downtown Syracuse, boasted three tall towers or cupolas, crafted from Onondaga limestone and wood framing, with interior cast-iron columns.
The original design showcased only the east and west towers; the central tower joined the family in 1886. Once the heart and soul of the university, it was later embraced by the College of Arts and Sciences. A treasured icon, it found a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Over the years, this historic building has captured the imagination of many, even serving as a creative inspiration for the Addams Family home in a cherished television show.
Most recently, the Syracuse Orange men’s basketball team adorned themselves in Nike jerseys, proudly bearing an aerographic of the Hall of Languages.
Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons
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