August 6, 1856
"At the adjourned meeting [of the Society of Alumni] on Wednesday morning [August 6, 1856]...It was also resolved to raise $10,000 this year for a new College building." (The Williams Quarterly, Vol. IV, No. II, December 1856, pg. 187)
April 19, 1857
Daniel N. Dewey, the College Treasurer, writes Calvin Durfee:
"Rev. Mr. Durfee...I can not think it advisable to write to the other members of the cte. on the subject of the alterations suggested by you. Nothing is yet matured by those on the ground and it will be very difficult to make those absent understand the case. Besides, if possible to raise more funds for this building please to spend your strength on the present plan, & not increase our expenditures, already too large for our funds. I must beg of you to keep this resolution for the present. Yours respectfully, Daniel N. Dewey" (Durfee Papers pg. 28)
June 1857
The Williams Quarterly (a student publication) writes the following in its Editor's Table:
"If rumor speaks correctly we are before long to behold that Chapel, of which for the past few years we have heard so much. It is said that the necessary means have been obtained, and that the question remains at issue, whether another of these long rectangular objects is to find its way among our shades, to blur the eyes of coming generations, or whether a structure of Gothic proportions is to ornament our College grounds. Where utility is not the only object in view, it would seem that some variation might be projected upon our present architecture."
(The Williams Quarterly, Vol. IV, No.IV, June 1857, pg. 386)
c. 1857 It is unknown how Gervase Wheeler was selected as the architect. He is seldom mentioned by name in any Williamstown publications. The following excerpt is from a biographical account of Gervase Wheeler (c. 1815 - c. 1872):
"The English architect Gervase Wheeler, formerly a pupil of Richard Cromwell Carpenter (1812-1855), arrived in the United States c. 1846 and designed the interiors -- particularly the ceiling polychromy -- of Richard Upjohn's Bannister Hall at Bowdoin College. Also from this period is his Henry Boody House (1848-49) in Brunswick, ME. Having briefly been employed in the office of Connecticut architect Henry Austin (1804-1891), Wheeler established a Hartford, CT, office in 1849 from which he sent A. J. Downing drawings for publication in the Horticulturist. That same spring, Wheeler contributed to a small book by one C. Kuchel entitled The Columbian Drawing Book (Hartford, 1849). Downing, impressed by Wheeler's designs, and draftsmanship, sent him to C. Henry Fisher in Philadelphia (1849) for whom Wheeler designed "Brookwood" in the Elizabethan style.
"Wheeler became professionally successful in Philadelphia, largely because he was taken up socially by the Fishers and their friends. He is known to have designed an Italianate office building for the Insurance Company of North America at 232 Walnut Street (completed, 1851) and a substantial town house that he later published without identifying the owner or address. In 1850 he exhibited a view of 'Rockwood, near Tarrytown, N.Y.' at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and Downing published Wheeler designs in The Architecture of Country Houses (NY, 1850) sent in from Philadelphia.
"But Wheeler's character was flawed; the promise of a career in Philadelphia collapsed early in 1850 when it was disclosed that the popular author Currer Bell -- whom Wheeler had claimed to know -- was actually a pseudonym for Charlotte Bronte. Wheeler fled Philadelphia for New York City, where in addition to practicing architecture, he began to emulate Downing by publishing Rural Homes; or, sketches of houses suited to American country life (New York, 1851) and Homes for the people (NY, 1855). Successful as these books proved to be, word was spreading that Wheeler could not be trusted. Writing to Richard Upjohn from Brunswick, ME, in 1851, Leonard Woods remarked that prospective clients should be on guard about Wheeler. 'Let them inquire of us, in Brunswick, and we will give them a history of his dealings with us. Let them inquire also of Dr. Croswell of the Church of the Advent in Boston. Or of gentlemen in Hartford, Dr. Sumner for example. Let them inquire of George F. Dunning, Esq. of the Mint of Philadelphia, or of a brother of his, Rev. Andrew Dunning, who is settled in Thompson, Connecticut... All that will be necessary to put them on their guard about him will be for them [to] ascertain his history, as he has been from place to place in this country.' Downing, too, joined in the hue and cry; in his review of Rural Homes Wheeler is classified with 'pseudo-architects from abroad, who leave home with too small a smattering of professional knowledge to ensure success.'
"By 1860 Wheeler had disappeared from New York city directories, although he does not appear in London with an office at 9 Conduit Street until 1865. By 1868 he was practicing in Margate, Kent, where 'his works comprise railway buildings, banks, churches, mansions, and private residences in the United States and England.' In 1867 he had become a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and in 1871 he published Choice of a dwelling (London, 1871; second edition, 1872)."
This biography also includes a selected bibliography and a list of Gervase Wheeler's projects (among which is Goodrich Hall).
(Sandra L. Tatman and Roger W. Moss. Biographical Dictionary of Philadelphia Architects: 1700-1930. Boston, MA: Hall & Co., 1985. Pgs. 849-850.)
July 14, 1857 Gervase Wheeler writes Calvin Durfee on his own letterhead:
"Gervase Wheeler, Architect and Superintendent, Author of 'Rural Homes,' 'Homes for the People,' Etc., 430 Broome Street, (Corner of Crosby Street), New York. Terms.--For City Building--as agreed. For Country Building--Five per cent. on cost, exclusive of Travelling Expenses."
The letter reads as follows:
"New York, July 14, 1857
"Reverend Calvin Durfee, Dear Sir,
"I am in receipt of your favour of yesterday and reply at once.
"I can see no objection whatever to the proposed increase of 5 feet to rear building if convenience is better served by such addition.
"In regard to architectural proportion as affected thereby--all I would suggest is that you keep the height of the walls as at present but increase the height of the gable so that the pitch of roof will be as now drawn;--this will make the ridge of rear building higher than the chapel which in so long a building will decidedly be an improvement rather than an injury.
"I had already heard the approbation expressed of the plans through the President; I trust the Building Committee will soon be appointed and the work commenced.
"Will you have the kindness to say to Professor Tatlock that I sent a plan to him for his grounds by Express the 2nd July and not having heard I am under the impression it may have miscarried.--
"I am dear Sir, Yours respectfully, Gervase Wheeler."
[The "rear building" must refer to the Alumni Hall portion of the building; it is expected that this five foot addition was realized as the ridge of the Alumni Hall roof is higher than that of the Chapel.]
(Durfee Papers pg. 114)
July 22, 1857 On the same letterhead as described above, Gervase Wheeler writes Calvin Durfee as follows:
"July 22, 1857
"Reverend Calvin Durfee, Dear Sir,
"Your letter of 20th Inst.; together with one from President Hopkins of 10th Inst.; are before me relating to a proposed addition to my plan of the College Chapel Building.
"You propose to intend a rear building beyond the wing giving the plan a Cruciform outline, by the President's letter (though not yours[)] I understand that addition to be intended to be but of one story.
"This plan undoubtedly can be carried out if your ground permits, but the plans must of course be redrawn as the proportions and details must be altered internally to suit a building so much elongated from the original idea.
"The tower I think will require enlarging though I do not commit myself to that opinion until I see the building as intended upon paper.
"In view of these additions and alterations I must in justice to myself insist that before any thing in the way of actual commencement be made of the building, I be instructed to prepare new plans -- these additions so materially affecting the whole spirit of the design.
"With this under my control I see no difficulty in reconciling such additions with architectural propriety and beauty.
"You will oblige me by submitting this to the President in reply also to his letter.
"The additional building 33x28 is large and will require careful design and study to look right when added to the building plan,--and if intended to be carried to the second story will require an almost entire reconsideration of the plan.
"Let every point be now thought of and discussed and then let me know the decision arrived at and return the plans so that I may make new ones for practical carrying out.--
"Respectfully, Gervase Wheeler, Architect"
(Durfee Papers pg. 113)
August 3, 1857
The Trustees pass the following vote: "That the President, Treasurer, Dr. Todd, Mr. Briggs, Mr. White, and Dr. Sabin be a Committee will full power under the following vote...[and the]...committee be appointed to agree upon a plan for a chapel and other purposes and to proceed to build a chapel if it can be done without involving the College in debt." (Board of Trustees Minutes pg. 346)
August 5, 1857 "David D. Field [Class of 1825] then introduced the subject of a Chapel Building and proposed that those present proceed at once to raise the six thousand dollars still needed to complete the erection of the edifice -- the result of which was as follows:...[the list of 38 pledges, from alumni, professors, and class gifts range in size from $50 to $600. David D. Field is the first on the list, one of two to give a gift of $600...]
"The Rev. Eli Corwin [Class of 1848] pledged himself to furnish a bell rope on condition that some one furnish a Bell for the new Chapel -- upon which Hon. Pierpont Isham of Bennington [an honorary member of the Society] agreed to furnish the bell.
"Dr. James Smedley, Dr. A. M. Smith, and B. F. Mather were appointed a committee to raise from the citizens of the town the means for purchasing a clock. After which the Society adjourned to meet in the [Griffin Hall] chapel at 10 o'clock the Tuesday preceding the next Commencement."
(Society of Alumni Minutes)
The Williams Quarterly Editor's Table writes the following:
"Hon. D. D. Field stated that six thousand dollars had already been raised for building the new Chapel, and as six thousand more was needed he moved that the Alumni then and there proceed to raise that sum by subscription.
"Having but an hour in which to accomplish the desired object, it was necessary to be expeditious. The wheel of benevolence, at first, seemed loth to move, but after being started by Mr. Field with a donation of five hundred dollars, (in addition to an equal sum previously subscribed,) another gentleman also adding five hundred dollars to a similar sum previously given the college -- the wheel continued revolving, throwing off at the rate of one hundred dollars per minute, for more than an hour, until Judge Isham struck (off) the bell. As the Seniors were now beating to arms, the Alumni appointed a committee of three gentlemen of Williamstown, to secure a clock which is to adorn the tower of the proposed structure. After this the Society of Alumni adjourned for one year."
(The Williams Quarterly, Vol. V, No.II, November 1857, pg. 188; Additional facts taken from Philip Warren, Jr., (Class of 1938), The Purple Connection, Williamstown, Williams College: 1987. Pgs. 10-11. This account is not included in full as it is historically inaccurate.)
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