Llenroc

Llenroc ("Cornell" spelled backwards) was built for Ezra Cornell between 1865 and 1875. It is a fine and well-preserved example of masonry Gothic Revival architecture.[2] It is elegant, imposing, and unique.  As the Cornell Daily Sun observes, “With McGraw and Morrill Halls, this home represents Cornell as its founder first knew it.”

The house is constructed of local ‘Llenroc’ bluestone and local limestone.[3] Artisans from around the world created the many elaborate fixtures of the house, including English woodcarvers responsible for the carved interior molding on the first and second floor and stonemasons from Germany who completed the exterior stonework. Eight elegant fireplaces were also imported from Europe to be placed throughout the house. Robert Richardson, one of many craftsmen who came from England, was one of the house’s primary stonecarvers.  He went on to work on the A.D. White House, Sage College, Sage Chapel, and Barnes Hall. A.D. White so admired the quality of Richardson’s work that he dubbed him Magister de vivis lapidibus, Latin for “teacher of living stone.” Italian, Irish and Indian craftsmen and laborers also made contributions.

Ezra Cornell died in 1874, as Llenroc neared completion. His wife and children lived there for 32 years, but vacated it in the early 20th century as it was too extravagant for their needs.[4] In 1911, Cornell's daughters Mary and Emma sold the house to the Delta Phi fraternity.[3]

The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.[1]

Ezra’s personal tastes were plain in most respects. But when it came to Llenroc, Ezra built what Professor Kermit Parsons in his book, The Cornell Campus, calls “his only architectural extravagance." Ezra’s son Alonzo Cornell wrote in his biography of Ezra that “with his exceptional prosperity came the ambition to build a dwelling which should be an ornament to the locality." And Professor Burt Wilder recalled, “Perhaps the best exemplification of the duality of his nature was offered by his indifference to the impression made by his rather shabby vehicle, horse, and even hat, as contrasted with his genuine and superior artistic pleasure in the execution of carvings for his projected residence.”

Construction on Llenroc began in 1867 and Llenroc was designed by the Albany firm Nichols & Brown, which had earlier designed Cascadilla Hall. It was completed in 1876.

At White’s suggestion, 'True and Firm' was carved on the stone riband above the house’s front door.[2]  Alonzo Cornell stated, “True and Firm—the motto which surmounts the principal entrance—is indeed characteristic of the building in all of its details.

Since the initial construction, a number of renovations have been carried out. In 1946, a major overhaul of the house was performed, during which time the house's basement was renovated to include a bar, seating, and other amenities. During the 2021-2022 academic year, Delta Phi spent close to $600,000 on renovations to bedrooms, bathrooms, and common spaces.

There are a number of notable aspects to the 2.34 acres (9,500 m²) large Llenroc property, other than the actual house. In 1925, the Smiley Baldwin Memorial Stairway, at the southernmost extreme of the property, was donated to the Delta Phi fraternity by Arthur Baldwin in commemoration of his son, Morgan Smiley Baldwin, who was killed in World War I. Arthur Baldwin and Morgan Smiley Baldwin were both brothers of the chapter. Inside the house, hand-made twin chandeliers hang in downstairs living spaces, in the living and music rooms.

The Pi chapter of the Delta Phi fraternity was founded in 1891 on the Cornell campus.[2] After 10 years in multiple rental houses, the brothers purchased 515 Stewart in 1901.

In 1911, the chapter purchased Llenroc from Ezra’s daughters Mary Emily Cornell and her sister Emma Cornell Blair.  A.D. White wrote the chapter a letter of congratulations, in which he stated, “the music of the University chimes comes down from the library tower upon the whole place morning, noon, and evening, as a benediction.  I am glad to see a house so dear to me in the possession of so distinguished a fraternity as yours, and trust that the occupation of the place hallowed by so many cherished memories will bring a blessing on all who enter it.”

More than a century later, Llenroc continues to maintain an active chapter and brotherhood. The home was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.  It is featured in many books about the University, Ezra Cornell, and Central New York State.  It is the subject of a 1994 master’s thesis written by a graduate student in the Architecture College. It is currently lectured about in Cornell: The First American University, one of the most popular classes on campus. Chapter brother Art Gensler ‘58, the founder of Gensler, the world’s largest architectural firm, called Llenroc “one of the great buildings in America.”

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Llenroc (Cornell University).

• Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) No. NY-5727, "Cornell University, Llenroc, 100 Cornell Avenue, Ithaca, Tompkins County, NY", 20 photos, 1 photo caption page
• National Register of Historic Places: Tompkins County, NY
• Delta Phi Celebrates a Century at Llenroc
• Cornellcast: A Century at Llenroc