Barnes Hall, Ithaca

Barnes Hall is a historic student-services building that was constructed in 1887 in the Romanesque architectural style. The building's distinctive L-shaped design includes a tower at the corner, which houses the main stairwell. Its primary entrance faces the Sage Chapel, with both buildings constructed from matching bricks, creating a unified architectural aesthetic.

The top floor of Barnes Hall features a large recital room with a cathedral ceiling, supported by impressive hammer beams. The lower levels originally contained public spaces and meeting rooms, and the cornerstone of the building bears the inscription "For the Promotion of God's Truth among Men," reflecting its early mission.

Initially serving as Cornell's first student union, Barnes Hall functioned as a central hub for student activities and events until 1925 when this role moved to Willard Straight Hall, located just across Central Avenue. Over time, the building underwent several changes in its usage. In 1952, its religious functions were relocated to Anabel Taylor Hall, while the lower floors were repurposed to house the Cornell Campus Store and a U.S. Post Office. A significant shift occurred in 1970 when a new underground campus store, designed by architect Earl Flansburgh, was constructed beneath the grass quadrangle between Barnes Hall and Sage Chapel, further altering the building’s role on campus.

Today, the ground floor houses the Dean of Students Office, while the second floor is home to the International Students Office and the Committee on Special Educational Projects (COSEP). Despite these changes, the top floor remains preserved as a recital hall, complete with a grand piano, continuing its legacy as a venue for music and cultural events.