More than 75 people gathered on September 19 to celebrate the launch of a $110 million renovation project for McGraw Hall, one of Cornell University’s most historic buildings. The event, attended by university leaders, donors, and members of the College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Council, marked the symbolic start of a multi-year transformation of the third-oldest building on campus.
“McGraw is a monument to the ambition of Cornell’s founders,” said Interim President Michael I. Kotlikoff at the ceremony. “It embodies our dedication to the humanities and creating an environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, and progress. We are delighted to preserve it and provide state-of-the-art facilities that will enhance student learning, support research, and inspire future generations of Cornellians.”
A historic renovation
The renovation of McGraw Hall, set to begin in January 2025, will include a complete overhaul of its interior structure and layout, modernization of building systems, and preservation of the exterior façade. The project is expected to be completed in 2027, with reopening planned for 2028.
Originally constructed in 1872 with funds from founding trustee John McGraw, the building was designed by architect Archimedes N. Russell using locally sourced Ithaca stone. McGraw Hall has played a central role in Cornell’s history, serving as the original location of the university library and home to various departments and collections over the years.
Currently, the Departments of History and Anthropology and the Archaeology Program reside in McGraw Hall, which continues to be a hub of activity on Cornell’s Arts Quad.
Honoring the past and looking ahead
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Kotlikoff thanked alumni who contributed to the project’s success, including Cathy Merrill ’91, CEO and president of Washingtonian Media, who supported the renovation with a foundational gift. Merrill, a government and history major, reflected on McGraw Hall’s significance, both to her education and to Cornell’s legacy.
“For decades, McGraw has been special, housing Cornell’s first library and playing a key role in the university’s early days,” Merrill said. “Our STEM fields are stronger when students have a solid liberal arts education. History and anthropology are critical for making the world better, and McGraw is at the heart of that.”
Another key donor, Mary John Miller ‘77, whose father taught medieval history at Cornell for 50 years, shared her excitement for the project’s completion, which is expected around her 50th class reunion.
“History is important to the College of Arts and Sciences, and I believe that the space where you work influences how you feel about your work,” said Miller, a government major who fondly recalled her father’s last lecture in McGraw Hall.
A legacy of education and impact
Peter John Loewen, Harold Tanner Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, emphasized the long-standing legacy of Cornell’s commitment to education and inclusivity.
“For more than 150 years, the College of Arts and Sciences has been at the center of Cornell’s mission to educate well-informed, well-spoken participants of society,” Loewen said. “McGraw Hall has played a vital role in that mission, and this renovation will ensure that it continues to be a cornerstone of our academic community.”
The McGraw Hall renovation has been a major fundraising effort as part of Cornell’s ongoing campaign, “To do the Greatest Good.” In May 2024, the College of Arts and Sciences reached its $45 million fundraising goal for the project.
Construction is set to begin in a few months, with the updated building slated to support future generations of students and scholars as they contribute to Cornell’s rich legacy of humanities education.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].