The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Trinity Hall

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Trinity Hall (three-quarter view), Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Trinity Hall (front facade), Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Trinity Hall (detail, entrance), Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Institution Name: Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Original/Historic Place Name: Trinity Hall
Location on Campus: 660 S. Main St.
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

1837	original construction Hale, Benjamin
1876	modernization Unknown
1964	remodeled Unknown

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

Foundation: stone

Walls: none specified

Roof: EPDM (white)

Function:

1837-1964	library
1837-1964	residence hall
1964-present (2007)	classrooms
1964-present (2007)	faculty offices

Significance: architecture, history
Landmark designation:

National Register

Geneva Hall and Trinity Hall (1973)

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
Hobart President Benjamin Hale was the architect of Trinity Hall, and Trinity Corporation of the Episcopalian Church the major contributor (about $7,000). It was built as a replica of Geneva Hall and, with the exception of a library on the third floor, was originally designed as a dormitory. In 1876 it was refitted and supplied with modern conveniences--gas, steam, etc.--and it was remodeled in 1964 for use as faculty offices and classrooms.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

Campus Master Plan. Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY.

Causey, Beverley E., Jr. Geneva Hall and Trinity Hall, Hobart and William Smith Colleges. National Register of Historic Places designation report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior/National Park Service, 1973.

Schuyler, Montgomery. "The Architecture of American Colleges: IX. Union, Hamilton, Hobart, Cornell and Syracuse." Architectural Record 30 (December 1911): 549-73.

Smith, Warren Hunting. Hobart and William Smith: The History of Two Colleges. Geneva, NY: Hobart and William Smith Colleges, 1972.

II. Location of other data:

University: Library, Special Collections

SHPO

Government Offices