Construction .281808-1825.29 Old Queens

early nineteenth century drawing of old queen s

the trustees hired new york architect john mccomb, jr. (1763–1853) design , oversee construction of old queen s. mccomb known designs of cape henry light (1792) in chesapeake bay, , montauk point lighthouse (1796) , station eatons neck lighthouse (1798) @ eastern end of long island, , several new york city landmarks including gracie mansion (1799), hamilton grange (1802), new york city hall (1803), , st. john s chapel (1803, demolished 1918). subsequently design lower manhattan s castle clinton (1808) , alexander hall @ princeton theological seminary (1815)

the cornerstone old queens laid on 27 april 1809 queen s college s president, rev. ira condict. due young college s financial difficulties, building not completed until 1825. classes began within completed portions of building 1811 queen s college (now rutgers university), queen s college grammar school (now rutgers preparatory school), , new brunswick theological seminary. new brunswick theological seminary moved in 1856 new 7 acres (2.8 ha) campus less one-half mile away, result of overcrowding. grammar school had moved across street several years earlier in 1830.

in 1825, colonel henry rutgers, american revolutionary war hero , philanthropist new york city gave fledgling queens college $5,000 bond , bell. trustees renamed institution in honor of colonel rutgers. bell, known old queens bell, hung in cupola of old queens chime passing of classes. remains there today, , rung on special occasions, such @ commencement exercise in may , in recognition of athletic teams have won national conferences. cupola donated stephen van rensellaer in 1825.