This May, we celebrate a major campus milestone: The Hall of Languages’ Sesquicentennial! The above juxtaposition shows how HOL has changed from the 1870s to today.

This month, the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) is honoring the 150th anniversary of the dedication of the Hall of Languages (HOL), a campus landmark and Syracuse University’s first building on campus. For this milestone in University history, A&S is celebrating HOL’s legacy with a virtual scrapbook taking a unique view of its part in the student experience through the decades. Everyone is invited to enjoy a glimpse of history through this campus icon’s eyes by visiting the Hall of Languages' Sesquicentennial Scrapbook.

About the Hall of Languages

The Hall of Languages was dedicated on May 8, 1873. It was referred to “as fine a structure as the American college world can boast,” according to The University Herald (SU's first campus newspaper). Originally housing the entire University, it is now home to the College of Arts and Sciences and accommodates 2,235 students, and offices for many departments including English, philosophy, religion, and languages, literatures and linguistics.

As the symbolic heart of the College of Arts and Sciences, HOL has witnessed 150 years of campus growth, research, discovery and innovation. With its unique architectural style, it stands today as a touchpoint of the Syracuse experience, embodying the enduring value of the liberal arts and the proud linkages connecting generations of students and alumni. It is a cherished part of the Orange community, serving as a backdrop for countless photos and special moments.

As part of the celebration of HOL’s 150th, A&S’ Office of Advancement is offering a virtual Alumni Academy featuring Robert Searing G’12, ’16, curator of history at the Onondaga Historical Association, on May 11, 4-5 p.m. The event is free and open to all, but registration is required.