Maxwell Hall
"Maxwell Hall of Citizenship and Public Affairs" by James Dwight Baum and John Russell Pope , 1936-1937
Maxwell Hall is one of two connected structures that houses the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, including the Maxwell Auditorium, the Joseph A. Strasser Academic Village, and the Global Collaboratory. Interestingly, Former President of the United States Herbert Hoover spoke at the building’s dedication in 1937. The building includes classrooms, offices, and a deeply sunken 200-seat semi-circular forum at the core of Maxwell Hall. Perhaps the building’s most striking feature is the main entrance lobby, a 40 x 70-foot foyer, which includes a life-size replica of Jean-Antoine Houdon's statue of George Washington and an inscription on the wall of the Athenian "Oath of Citizenship". The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Maxwell Hall was named for George Holmes Maxwell, a member of the class of 1888. Maxwell was a successful Boston patent attorney, financier, inventor, and shoe manufacturer who believed that the best way to promote "intelligent patriotism" in future generations would be for SU to establish a "School of American Citizenship." Maxwell made an agreement with Chancellor Charles Flint in 1928 to erect a citizenship building. George Maxwell was very involved in determining the location and style of the building as evidenced by correspondences in the University Archives. Construction did not begin for eight years due to the Great Depression, and sadly George Maxwell passed away before its construction, but he approved the building plans prior to his death. The building underwent renovations from 1990 to 1994 in order to expand and update, and was linked to Eggers Hall at its completion in 1993.
George Holmes Maxwell was born on April 16, 1864 in New Woodstock, NY. Maxwell attended Syracuse University for both his undergraduate (Class of 1888) and graduate studies (Class of 1891). He then earned his Law degree from Columbia University. By the 1920’s Maxwell became a successful Boston patent attorney, financier, inventor, and shoe manufacturer who was passionate about promoting "intelligent patriotism" in future generations. He and his wife, Carrie Maxwell, created a fund of $500,000 to establish a "School of American Citizenship” at Syracuse University. On October 3, 1924, he opened the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs with six graduate students in public administration. The mission was to train teachers of citizenship and practitioners of public affairs. Maxwell passed away in 1932 before the building was constructed but approved the plans before his death.
SU University Archives; SU Photo and Imaging Archive; SU news article: "Iconic Lincoln Statue on Campus Gets an Upgrade." Photo by Steve Sartori; Galvin, E. L., et al. (2013). The Campus History Series: Syracuse University. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing; Gorney, J. (2006). Syracuse University: An Architectural Guide. SU Press; Smalley, F. (editor). (1911). Alumni Record and General Catalogue of Syracuse University: 1872-1910, including Genesee college, 1852-1871 and Geneva medical college, 1835-1872. Volume 3 Part 1.