Hall of Languages, Syracuse University facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Hall of Languages, Syracuse University
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location in New York Show map of New York Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Syracuse, New York, U.S.
Built	1871
Built by	Randall and Nesdal
Architect	Horatio Nelson White
Architectural style	Second Empire
Restored	1978-79
Part of	Syracuse University – Comstock Tract buildings (ID80004279; listed separately in 1973)
NRHP reference No.	73001236
Added to NRHP	September 20, 1973

The Hall of Languages is a very old and important building at Syracuse University in Syracuse, New York. It was designed by Horatio Nelson White and built between 1871 and 1873. This building was the very first one on the Syracuse University campus. In fact, when it first opened, the entire university was located inside this one building!

About the Hall of Languages

The Hall of Languages is built in the Second Empire style. This means it has a fancy, grand look, often with a special kind of roof called a mansard roof. It was inspired by another building in Downtown Syracuse called the Gridley Building, which the same architect also designed.

Building History

The first stone of the building was placed on August 31, 1871, by Jesse Truesdell Peck. The building was officially opened on May 8, 1873. It was dedicated by Edmund S. James, who was a bishop at the time.

The Hall of Languages is made from strong Onondaga limestone and wood. Inside, it has cast-iron columns that help support the building. When it was first built, it only had two large towers, one on the east and one on the west. In 1886, a third tower was added right in the middle.

This building was first home to the College of Liberal Arts. Later, it became the home of the College of Arts and Sciences.

A Historic Landmark

The Hall of Languages was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. This means it's recognized as an important historical site. The inside of the building was completely rebuilt and updated between 1978 and 1979.

This iconic building is often used to represent Syracuse University. It even helped inspire the design of the famous Addams Family home in the TV show! More recently, starting in 2010, the Syracuse Orange men's basketball team began wearing special jerseys. These jerseys feature a design of the Hall of Languages.

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