Llenroc

Infobox_nrhp | name =Llenroc
nrhp_type =

---

caption = Llenroc House
location= Ithaca, New York
lat_degrees = 42
lat_minutes = 26
lat_seconds = 48.13
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 76
long_minutes = 29
long_seconds = 32.05
long_direction = W
locmapin = New York
area =
built =1865
architect= Nichols & Brown
architecture= Gothic Revival
added = April 16, 1980
governing_body = Private
refnum=80002781cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]

Llenroc is the house constructed for Ezra Cornell just below the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, United States. It now houses the Cornell chapter of the Delta Phi fraternity.

The House

Llenroc, or the villa of Ezra Cornell, was constructed between 1865 and 1875. It is constructed of Llenroc limestone, hauled from a quarry just west of White Hall on Cornell University's campus. Artisans from England, Italy, and other countries were brought in to help with stone and wood carvings. Eight complete marble fireplaces were also imported from Europe to be placed throughout the house. Sadly, Ezra Cornell did not get to live in his house, as he died in 1874 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ezra_Cornell] . The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Construction

According to "The History of Llenroc and Pi Chapter", construction on Llenroc began in 1867. Ezra Cornell hired an Albany firm, Nichols and Brown, to design the plan for the house, which borrowed heavily from rural Gothic Villa and High Victorian Gothic styles of architecture. Cornell was also forced to open a rock quarry to acquire grey Lockport limestone (colloquially known as Llenroc limestone) with which to build the house.

German artisans were commissioned to carve elaborate designs into the limestone, while English artisans were hired to carve the woodwork for the house. Irish, Scottish, and Italian immigrants, as well as Native Americans, were employed as laborers for the construction project.

The house has 15 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms (one large bathroom to accommodate the house’s many residents). Up to 26 people may make their residence at the house at any one time.

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 converted into a living area, complete with a bar. In 1955, a garage was erected adjacent to the house (although it was subsequently torn down). In 1967, the upstairs bathroom was renovated. In 2007, the kitchen was renovated.

Notable Features

There are a number of notable aspects to the Llenroc property, other than the actual house. In 1925, the Delta Phi Memorial Staircase, 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. The property also boasts tennis and basketball courts on its 2.34 acres of land. Inside the house, hand-made twin chandeliers hang in downstairs living spaces.

The Chapter

The Pi chapter of the Delta Phi Fraternity was founded in 1891 on the Cornell University campus in Ithaca, New York. [http://www.llenroc.org/about.asp] After a brief stint in downtown Ithaca, the brotherhood moved to 515 Stewart Avenue.Fact|date=April 2007 In 1911, the brotherhood made its last move, into the current residence of the Pi Chapter: Llenroc [http://www.llenroc.org/about.asp] .

Quick Facts

*Llenroc is Cornell spelled backwards.

*Ezra Cornell had the phrase "True and Firm" carved over the entryway to Llenroc at the suggestion of Andrew Dickson White, the co-founder of Cornell University. [http://www.llenroc.org/about.asp]

References

External links

* [http://www.llenroc.org/about.asp Llenroc Website]
* [http://www.nationalhistoricalregister.com/NY/Tompkins/state.html National Register of Historic Places: Tompkins County, NY]