Whig Hall
Original Whig Hall
Other Names: "The Halls", "The Literary Societies"
Date of Commission: 1836
Date of Occupancy: 1838
Other Dates in Building's History:
1835: Trustees confer with Cliosophic and Whig Societies about site for new buildings. (TM, 29 Sept 1835)
1836: Site for Whig and Clio Halls accepted. (TM, 28 Sept 1836)
1837: Cornerstone laid.
1838: Building completed.
1889: Demolished for new marble structure.
Architect(s): John Haviland ; Charles Steadman
Donor(s): Trustees, College of New Jersey
Named for: The American Whig Society
Materials: Brick; Stucco; Wood
Function: Library; Meeting Rooms
Style: Greek Revival
Second Whig Hall
Other Names: "The Halls", "The Literary Societies"
Date of Commission: 1887
Date of Occupancy: 1892
Other Dates in Building's History:
1887: "Whig Hall designed 1887-1888; plans acquired by Clio ca. 1890; both buildings erected 1890-1892."(Longstreth, Edge of the World, p. 435)
1889: Building committee of Literary Societies decided there was a need for new Halls. (Princetonian, 11 Nov 1889)
10 June 1890: Announcement for laying cornerstone during Commencement Week. (Princeton College Bulletin, Jan 1893)
14 June 1890: Dedicated.
1893: Marble halls opened. (Leitch, p. 505)
1914: Whig & Clio reciprocity treaty (Princeton Pictorial Review, 7 Oct 1914)
1928: Two societies merged & moved into Whig Hall. (Leitch, p. 506)
1928: Societies began a process of merger, completed after WWII. ( PAW, Summer 1974, Chauncey, Laurie, "Tradition Lives . . . ")
1929: Clio & Whig merged.
1941: Deeds to two buildings turned over to the University. (Princetonian, 8 May 1947)
1960-1961: Interior renovations made in preparation for 'the Halls' 200th anniversary.
9 Nov 1969: Gutted by fire.
1971-1972: Renovations by Gwathmey & Siegel.
Architect(s): Arthur Page Brown, New York City ; Stratton & Ellingwood, New York City
Donor(s): The American Whig Society
Other Agent(s): H. Wales Lines Company of Meriden, CT. (builder of); Charles E. Page (builder of)
Materials: Brick; Marble; Vermont Marble veneer
Function: Library; Meeting Rooms
Style: Greek Revival
