SLU Photographs

Construction of the Beta Temple, also known as the Abbott-Young Memorial Temple, August 1925.

A view of the newly constructed Beta Temple adjacent to the Beta Theta Pi house about 1926.

These students tipping off during a physical education class would not have been St. Lawrence students, but rather students at the New York State Agricultural and Technical Institute (ATI), which later became SUNY Canton. The ATI campus adjoined SLU and it's buildings and grounds became part of the University when SUNY Canton (then Canton ATC) moved to a new campus across town.

Madill Hall today is home to St. Lawrence's IT Department and the Launder's Science Library.

Built as a gymnasium and multipurpose building for Canton ATI in the early 1940s, Madill was purchased by St. Lawrence in the late '60s when Canton ATC's new campus opened across town. In the early 90's the building was renovated and in 1993, Madill reopened as the Launder's Science Library. It also houses the University's Information Technology department.

A reading and study room in what was then known as College Hall, prior to the 1906 renovations. With little money for books or other materials and a poorly heated Herring Library, students at St. Lawrence University took it upon themselves to supply this room with a few newspapers and magazines through a student club, with heat provided by a pot-bellied stove.

In April of 1856, the New York State Legislature granted a charter to The St. Lawrence University College of Letters and Science, which would be housed, along with a Universalist Theological School, in a single building atop a hill outside Canton. In June, the cornerstone of what would be known for 50 years as "College" Hall was laid. Classes would begin the following year with just a handful of students. Around 1906, the building was renamed Richardson Hall in honor of donor Mary Richardson.

One of the most auspicious days in St. Lawrence history took place on Oct. 26, 1929 when Nobel Prize-winning chemist Madame Marie Curie came to campus for the dedication of Hepburn Hall of Chemistry. The appearance of the world-famous Curie was arranged by the venerable St. Lawrence trustee Owen D. Young, and occurred some three years after the building construction was complete. Mme. Curie is pictured standing in front, with Mr. Young facing her in the cap and gown. Mrs. Emily Eaton Hepburn, benefactor of the building, is seated at right.

Hepburn Hall of Chemistry in 1956

From modest beginnings as the one and only building on campus to its current use as home of the University's English and Religious Studies departments, Richardson Hall has served SLU well for going on 160 years.