| About Princeton: The history of Alexander Hall
Richardson Auditorium
in Alexander Hall -- which has hosted many important events at Princeton,
including the recent visit by Afghan President Hamid Karzai -- is one
of the most historic and recognizable structures on campus.
- Construction on Alexander Hall began in 1892 and was completed
two years later (though carving of the exterior sculpture continued
long
after the building was opened and dedicated on June 9, 1894). Harriet
Crocker Alexander donated the money for the building, which was named
in honor of her husband Charles B. Alexander 1870, his father Henry
M. Alexander 1840 and his grandfather the Rev. Archibald Alexander,
founder of the Princeton Theological Seminary.
- During its early years, Alexander Hall was used for many lectures,
mass meetings and various assemblies, such as the University's 150th
anniversary celebration and Woodrow Wilson's inauguration as University
president.
- For 30 years, freshmen were welcomed and seniors graduated in Alexander,
but by 1922 commencement exercises had outgrown the building and thereafter
were held in front of Nassau Hall. When the Marquand Chapel burned
in 1920, Alexander was used for religious services until the new University
Chapel was completed in 1928.
- In 1984-85, Alexander Hall was extensively renovated and the auditorium
was renamed as a result of a major gift from David A. Richardson '66
in memory of his father, David B. Richardson '33.
- Alexander Hall was chosen by the U.S. Postal Service to appear on
a postcard commemorating Princeton's 250th anniversary in 1996. In
2000, President Bill Clinton delivered the keynote address in Alexander
Hall at an academic conference on "The Progressive Tradition:
Politics, Culture and History."
- Today, Richardson Auditorium is the site of many official University
ceremonies, lectures and assemblies, from freshman orientation to
Reunions activities. It also is the University's premier performance
venue for a wide variety of events presented by the Department of
Music as well as student and community organizations.
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Alexander Hall is the home of Richardson Auditorium,
which hosts a variety of University ceremonies, assemblies, lectures
and performances.
photo: Denise Applewhite
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