Crouse College of Fine Arts
Plans for Building Approved By Mr. Crouse: Fall, 1887
Construction Began: January 1, 1888
Cornerstone Laid: June 6, 1888
Dedicated: September 18, 1889
Cost of Building: $500,000 (approximately)
Cost of Organ: $15,000
Cost of Chimes: $6,000
Style: Romanesque details and ornamentation
Architect: Archimedes Russell
Materials: Long Meadow sandstone
Notes:
Originally called John Crouse Memorial College for Women. The Syracuse University College of Fine Arts was the first in the country to award a degree in the field of Fine Arts.
The building was erected through the generosity of John R. Crouse, a wholesale grocer and banker of Syracuse, as well as a Trustee of the University from its founding until his death in 1889. Mr. Crouse was allowed to locate the site of the building and was given free use of the grounds to oversee its construction. Unfortunately, when the building was nearly completed Mr. Crouse died. His son , D. Edgar Crouse, immediately completed the structure and furnishings, and provided for putting the grounds in good order. With its organ, galleries, auditorium and chimes it was natural that the College of Fine Arts occupied the building. The building was a memorial for John Crouse and his family.
Both the Crouse organ and chimes were gifts of John D. Crouse. The chimes were played by members of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity for nearly a century, except for a three year period during World War II (1943-46) when the sisters of Alpha Phi sorority performed the task. In 1986 the Deke's lost their campus charter and the bells were silenced. They were reactivated again, but now anyone associated with Syracuse University is welcome to join the Syracuse University Chimemasters. The chimes are rung twice a day and after football games.
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