History of Goodrich Hall  By Mac Harman ' 98 Web Site Conversion By Ryan Mayhew '01   Goodrich Hall is a Gothic revival, rustic limestone structure built in 1859 to serve as the College Chapel, Alumni Hall, and classroom building. It has undergone at least two major renovations; however, a great part of the historic fabric remains. Most recently the building housed the studio arts program which was moved to the WLS Spencer Studio Arts Building in 1996.   Timeline Quick Navigation 1856 - 1858 1859 - 1860 1861 - 1877 1879 - 1895 1897 - April 1907 May 1907 - 1936 1937 - 1998     Goodrich Hall Timeline Click on the Dates for an expanded history. Society of Alumni resolve to raise $10,000 for new building August 6, 1856 Daniel Dewey urges Calvin Durfee to keep his proposed alterations to himself; expected expenditures exceed available funds April 19, 1857 Rumor printed that Chapel is to be built; Gothic architecture proposed for variety June 1857 Gervase Wheeler is selected as architect of new Chapel c. 1857 Biographical sketch of Gervase Wheeler Wheeler in Philadelphia Wheeler flees Philadelphia for New York with his reputation in question Wheeler returns to England Gervase Wheeler writes Calvin Durfee in reference to enlarging rear building of proposed Chapel July 14, 1857 Gervase Wheeler writes Calvin Durfee and President Hopkins in reference to proposed addition of building to south of Alumni Hall July 22, 1857 Committee formed to build new Chapel August 3, 1857 Society of Alumni hold annual meeting August 4-5 1857 $6,150 raised by Society of Alumni for new Chapel August 5, 1857 Donation of rope for Chapel bell immediately matched by gift of bell Cte. formed to canvass town for funds to purchase clock for new Chapel Student account of Society of Alumni meeting Local report of contributions to funds for new Chapel August 26, 1857 Alumni Hall expected to be finished by next commencement September 23, 1857 Correspondence from Daniel Dewey in regard to contractors bidding to build new Chapel October 5, 1857 Revised plan of new Chapel received October 7, 1857 William Linn writes Calvin Durfee to ask if it is too late to make offer to build new Chapel January 15, 1858 Work on Chapel planned to start in spring; funds are contributed and plans adopted January 27, 1858 Foundation laid for new Chapel May 5, 1858 New Chapel subject of conversational hobby: architecture praised, question posed as to why there is no cellar (to facilitate heating) in design, possible square tower ridiculed June 1858 Philosophical Lecture Room added to plan for new Chapel August 2, 1858 Alumni pleased with progress of new Chapel August 4, 1858 New bell, cast in West Troy, NY, is hoisted into Chapel tower; it peals jubilantly October 23, 1858 Students report construction progressing slowly; clear, musical tone of new bell appreciated November 1858 Outside walls and roofing of Chapel are nearly finished November 13, 1858 Next Page