History of SU celebrated at Onondaga Historical Association dinner

The rich history of Syracuse University will be celebrated at the Onondaga Historical Association’s (OHA) 2011 Our Glorious Workplaces Dinner, to be held Saturday, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m. on the Syracuse University campus.

In its 15^th year, this annual fundraiser for the OHA has previously been held at other iconic Syracuse buildings, including Niagara Mohawk, Time Warner Cable’s renovated train station in downtown Syracuse, Stickley Corp. in Manlius, the Onondaga County Court House, King + King Architects’ new LEED Platinum building on the Near Westside, and nearly every major employer with a history in the city.

University librarian and dean of libraries Suzanne Thorin and Marilyn Higgins, SU vice president for community engagement and economic development, serve on OHA’s board of directors, where many SU faculty and administrators have served over the years. OHA has been a proud supporter of the Connective Corridor–serving on the Community Advisory Team–the Near Westside Initiative and Say Yes to Education programs. For 140 years, Syracuse University and the Onondaga County Historical Association have shared a commitment to education in Central New York.

This year’s event will begin at 6 p.m. at Crouse College, one of the University’s first buildings, rich with architectural history and designed by Archimedes Russell in the Romanesque-Revival style. With funding secured by Syracuse banker and merchant John Crouse, the building was originally intended as a women’s college, and is now home to SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Guests will be able to tour the structure and marvel at its stately 19th century beauty. VPA students will hold performances in the school’s Setnor Auditorium. With Crouse College recognized as one of Central New York’s most famous landmarks, a special opportunity has been added to the Glorious Workplaces Crouse College tour. Syracuse University will guide a small group of guests to the building’s bell tower. Because the space is small and restricted, the tour is limited to 10 guests who will have the opportunity to see and hear the bells and watch the chimes master play a selection of songs on the three-story instrument. The Bell Tower tour starts at 6:30 p.m. and will last 30 minutes. Guests will also have rare access to the Holden Observatory before walking or being shuttled to the Life Sciences building on College Place, one of the most modern buildings on campus, where an elegant dinner will be served at 8 p.m.

More than 240 people are expected to attend the black-tie optional event, which will include a cocktail party and dinner, along with a presentation on the history of the Syracuse University campus. As host of this year’s event, SU’s rich history will be celebrated with the launching of a traveling exhibit “Landmarks of New York,” by author, civic activist and preservationist Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel.

Tickets for the event are $195 per person. For more information, or to purchase tickets for the 2011 Our Glorious Workplaces Dinner, log onto http://www.cnyhistory.org/workplaces.html, or call Lynn Pascale at 428-1864 ext. 314.