Crouse College of Fine Arts Special Collections Research Center

Crouse College, SU Photo & Imaging RS 8065

Plans for Building Approved By Mr. Crouse: Fall 1887

Construction Began: January 1, 1888

Cornerstone Laid: June 6, 1888

Dedicated: September 18, 1889

Named for: John Crouse, banker and businessman, SU trustee 1870 until his death in 1889

Cost of Building: approximately $500,000

Funding: John Crouse

Style: Romanesque Revival with High Victorian Gothic details

Architect: Archimedes Russell

Builder: Norcross Brothers, Worcester, MA

Materials: Longmeadow brownstone (sandstone ashlar) with granite foundation

Space: 162' x 190', 4 stories

Location: Crouse Drive, southwest of Maxwell and Eggers Halls

Exterior Renovation: 2001-2003

Notes: Built through the generosity of John Crouse, a Syracuse wholesale grocer, banker, and trustee of Syracuse University from its founding until his death in 1889, Mr. Crouse selected the building site and oversaw its construction. Originally named John Crouse Memorial College for Women, it was intended as a memorial to Crouse's late wife. The title was engraved above the main entrance. Unfortunately, Mr. Crouse died prior to the building's completion. His son, D. Edgar Crouse, completed the structure, furnishings and grounds work. The exterior featured relief carvings including musical instruments and an artist's palette over the front entrance. Four decorative chimneys and a bell tower rose above a hip and gable slate roof.

The interior featured a carved wooden staircase leading to a 700-seat auditorium, originally intended as a chapel, with a medieval church motif. An organ costing $15,000 was donated by John Crouse. Originally built in 1889 by Frank Roosevelt, the organ was rebuilt by Estey Organ Co. of Vermont in 1924 and again in 1950 by Walter Holtkamp. The building's original stained glass windows were created by Henry Keck, a Syracuse craftsman trained by Louis Comfort Tiffany. In 1970, additional stained glass pieces were installed in celebration of the University's centennial. The bell tower housed the first tower chimes installed in Syracuse. Ten bells costing $5,000 and manufactured by Clinton Meneely Bell Co., Troy, NY, were donated by John Crouse.

Crouse College was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

The bell tower received renovations in 2016 with the addition of four new bells. Additional renovations of the building began in June 2017 with the replacement of the glazing in the skylights above the band room and restoration of the historic masonry façade. Masonry restorations were completed in Spring 2018. In summer 2019, all three cupolas were removed from the roof, marking the first restoration of the original cupolas since Crouse College was finished in 1889. Contractors restored the cupolas on-site and re-installed them on the roof in August 2019.