Willard Straight Hall

Willard Straight Hall stands as a Gothic Revival structure built from local Llenroc bluestone, featuring pointed arches, detailed stonework, and ornate masonry that exemplifies early 20th-century collegiate architecture on Cornell University's central campus.

Constructed in 1925 by architectural firm Delano & Aldrich, the hall was established through a memorial effort by Dorothy Payne Whitney to honor her late husband Willard Straight and enhance student life at the university.

The building served as a focal point for student activism, notably during the 1969 occupation by African-American students protesting racial injustices and demanding the establishment of the Africana Studies Center, leading to significant institutional reforms.

The hall operates daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. during the semester, housing dining facilities including Okenshields and The Ivy Room, meeting spaces, student organization offices, and the Cornell Cinema theater.

Ezra Winter's 1926 lobby murals depict Willard Straight's interests in China and cultural pursuits, representing virtues of chivalry, adventure, diplomacy, and optimism in colorful artistic displays throughout the entrance area.

Location: Ithaca

Inception: 1925

Architectural style: Collegiate Gothic

Part of: Cornell University

Website: http://dos.cornell.edu/wshhome.html

GPS coordinates: 42.44650,-76.48556

Latest update: July 25, 2025 20:40