Bailey Hall, Ithaca

Bailey Hall is Cornell University's largest auditorium. Constructed in 1912, it was designed by Edward Brodhead Green, a Cornell alumnus, in the Greek Revival architectural style. The hall is named after Liberty Hyde Bailey, the first dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Originally intended for agricultural students, Bailey Hall quickly became a multipurpose venue for the entire university. The building features a striking amphitheater design, with a colonnaded portico on its south side and monumental stairs leading to 11-foot doors. Initially seating 1,948, it was renowned for its excellent acoustics and less-appreciated wooden seats, earning the humorous description, “acoustics by God, seats by Torquemada.”

In 1984, Bailey Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places, reflecting its architectural and historical significance. A major rehabilitation in 2006 modernized the building, updating it to meet ADA standards and modern building codes, though the seating capacity was reduced to 1,300 to accommodate these changes. This renovation also created a more inclusive and accessible environment, ensuring its continued use as a vital cultural and academic venue. Home to the Cornell Concert Series for over a century, Bailey Hall has hosted countless performances, lectures, and events, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of university life.

Complementing the hall is a beautifully designed pedestrian plaza, completed in 2007, which replaced the former road and parking lot in front of the building. The plaza features flagstones hewn from bluestone, some thermally treated for a unique cosmetic effect, echoing the aesthetic of Cornell’s historic Stone Row. Benches crafted from 300-foot-long Oregon Douglas fir and a fountain carved from local stone, designed to evoke Ithaca’s iconic gorges, enhance the area’s charm.