Celebration kicks off McGraw Hall renovation project

Read the full story by Kathy Hovis in the Cornell Chronicle.

More than 75 people, including university leaders, donors and members of the College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Council, celebrated the start of the $110 million McGraw Hall renovation project Sept. 19 with a “groundbreaking” ceremony.

“McGraw is the third-oldest building on campus, one of the three buildings in Old Stone Row and one of the first monuments to the ambition of Cornell and its founders,” said Interim President Michael I. Kotlikoff. “It embodies our dedication to the humanities and to creating an environment that fosters creativity, collaboration and progress. We are delighted today to be able to preserve it and renovate it, while providing state-of-the-art facilities to enhance student learning, support research and inspire future generations of Cornellians.”

The transformation of McGraw Hall will begin in January and will include an overhaul of the interior structure and layout, as well as an update to building systems and work to preserve and bolster the exterior façade. Construction is expected to continue through 2027, with reopening planned for 2028.

Named for founding trustee John McGraw, who gave $120,000 for the building, McGraw Hall was designed by architect Archimedes N. Russell and opened in 1872. Built of Ithaca stone, the four-story building was the first on campus to include a tower. Jennie McGraw, daughter of John McGraw, donated the chimes to be placed in the tower, where they stayed until McGraw Tower was built in 1891.