History
The name of the hall honors three generations of the Alexander family, who all served as University trustees. Funding for the building was sourced from Mrs. Harriet Crocker Alexander, who donated $350,000 ($11.9 million in 2023 dollars)[3] so its name would honor her in-laws: her husband Charles B. Alexander (Class of 1870), his father Henry M. Alexander (Class of 1840), a University trustee and member of the Committee on Commencement Arrangements, and his grandfather Reverend Dr. Archibald Alexander (the Presbyterian founder of the Princeton Theological Seminary and its first professor; honorary Princeton doctorate 1810).[4]
Alexander Hall was designed by architect William Appleton Potter. Construction on the building was completed in 1894, and Alexander Hall held its first annual Commencement ceremony on June 13 of that year.[3] After the Marquand Chapel caught fire, Protestant chapel services were held in the hall.[5]
Although Alexander Hall initially functioned as a space for hosting private University affairs — including commencement, faculty meetings, and popular talks — the space was renovated and expanded into a professional-class performance hall in the 1980s following a large donation from David Richardson (Class of 1966) and growing needs on campus for a proper performing space. In 1984, the auditorium within Alexander Hall was officially renamed to Richardson Auditorium.
Following its renovation in the 1980s, the hall now has an elevator-mounted orchestra pit, sound reflectors for improved acoustics, humidity-controlled instrument storage, and a Tiffany Glass mosaic named "Homeric Story".[3] Today, the building's turrets, rusticated brownstone, and red granite-walls frequently host concerts featuring ensembles and musicians, including conductor Gustavo Dudamel[6] in 2018 and 2019.
Until 2017, when construction on Princeton University's new $330 million performing-arts center was completed, the Princeton University Orchestra rehearsed in the hall thrice per week during the academic year. Following the opening of the Lewis Center Arts, the orchestra now holds its rehearsals in the 3,500 square-foot Lee Rehearsal Room (built for the ensemble) and moves to Richardson Auditorium on the week of the concert.[7]
Beyond music, the hall maintains a strong bond with the local community as a regular venue for town meetings, and it still occasionally serves as a venue for large student events, famous guest speakers, as well as for other various University affairs.
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