The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Kreiderheim

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Kreiderheim (three-quarter view, ca. 1935), Lebanon Valley College

Institution Name: Lebanon Valley College
Original/Historic Place Name: Kreiderheim
Location on Campus: North Campus
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

1922-1924

original construction Unknown

Type of Place: Individual building
Style(s): (Glossary)
Materials:

Foundation: limestone

Walls: limestone

Roof: terra cotta tile

Function:

1924-1976	private residence (Kreider family)
ca. 1978-present (2007)	other (guest house and conference center)
ca. 1978-present (2007)	president's house

Significance:
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
Kriederheim currently serves the weekend home of Lebanon Valley College's 17th president, Stephen MacDonald and his wife, Mary Warner. The house was bequeathed to the College by Gideon R. Kreider, Jr., a longtime college friend. Gideon R. Kreider, Sr., formerly chairman of the Lebanon Valley National Bank and president of the Lebanon Paper Box Company attended Lebanon Valley College for one year before transferring to Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, from which he graduated. Gideon, Sr.'s wife, Alice Lutz Kreider graduated from Lebanon Valley College in 1908. Gideon R. Krieder, Sr. oversaw construction of the estate from 1922 and 1924.

The large mansion sits atop Sycamore Hill on 21 landscaped acres, with hundreds of trees surrounding the house. The once-wooded area now commands spectacular panoramic views of the Lebanon Valley. The first floor includes the entrance foyer (16 x 40 ft), living room (42 x 18 ft), and spacious dining room (20 x 20 ft), enabling large groups to mingle comfortably. The remainder of the first floor consists of a large kitchen, library, and powder room. Upstairs, a large sunroom and three living suites (each with sitting rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms), provide plenty of room to accommodate the president and out-of-town visitors to the college.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

II. Location of other data:

University: Library, Special Collections