A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
From the Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures series
Daemen College's Rosary Hall is an example of Italian Renaissance revival. It was built circa 1912 as a mansion for the Crouch family and sold to Rosary Hill College in 1948. Herbert Crouch was an insurance man. Architect was George Cary, who also designed the Buffalo History Museum and Pierce Arrow Administration Building and UB buildings. It is currently used for Admissions, Alumni and External Relations offices and a jewel in the Amherst community.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
Rosary Hall on the Daemen College campus is an Italian Renaissance mansion built around 1912 as a residence for Herbert Crouch, an insurance man, and his wife.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
When Crouch's wife became ill in 1935, the couple moved to California and Crouch sold the mansion to George Waite. Purchased from the Waite family in 1948, the newly named Rosary Hall was the first home to Rosary Hill College, now Daemen College. Photo courtesy of Daemen College.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The u201cFounders Bellu201d sits behind the hall. This historic bronze bell produced in 1858 by the Meneely bell foundry in Troy was a gift by the Iskalo Developement Co. to celebrate the collegeu2019s 70th anniversary. The bell originally sounded at St. Margaretu2019s School in North Buffalo and was restored by the alumni of Rosary Hill College, Class of 1967.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
A candlelight graduation ceremony outside Rosary Hall in the mid-20th century, when the school was called Rosary Hill College. Photo courtesy of Daemen College.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
Formerly known as Alswych Hall, the mansion was the main property on the 29 acres that encompassed 4380 Main St. Surrounded by orchards and vineyards, the mansion included an adjoining garage and penthouse, known today as Serra Hall.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
French doors and windows are among the stylistic notes of Rosary Hall.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The Waite family sold the estate to the Sisters of St. Francis in 1948. Renamed Rosary Hall, the mansion was used to house the sistersu2019 new educational endeavor for women, Rosary Hill College. Photo courtesy of Daemen College.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The building now houses the Daemen College admissions offices as well as the offices of the college external relations staff.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The house was designed by George Cary, one of the most prominent Buffalo architects of the early 20th century. He is best known for designing several landmark Buffalo buildings, including the Buffalo History Museum, the Pierce-Arrow administration building, Buffalo General Hospital and several buildings on the University at Buffalou2019s South Campus.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
A homecoming float from when the school was called Rosary Hill College. Photo courtesy of Daemen College.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
As students and faculty outgrew the building, Rosary Hall later became a residence for the founding Sisters of St. Francis of Penance and Christian Charity for decades to follow.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
With generous support of donors, the Dedecker Parlor and the Rath Sun Room, pictured here, now stand as a testament to the historical significance of this home.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
Front entrance to the building.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The mansion was designated as a local landmark by the Town of Amherst in 2014.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The mansion stands as a fine example of Italian Renaissance revival architecture.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
In the lobby of the building, a crosscut granite tile displays a prehistoric fossil of a nautilus shell, about the size of an orange.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The mansion stands as a fine example of Italian Renaissance revival architecture, including its columns.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
A mirror in the upper stairway walk-around with period researched wallpaper.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
A second-floor window from the inside looking out.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
A lighting fixture from days gone by.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
A hinge window detail on the exterior.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
French doors and windows are among the stylistic notes of Rosary Hall.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The main entrance to Rosary Hall built around 1912 as the Crouch-Waite mansion.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The back patio entrance to the mansion on Main Street at Getzville Road in Amherst.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
French doors and windows are among the stylistic notes of Rosary Hall.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
When the first 44 students enrolled at Rosary Hill, every inch of the building was used. The upper floors were offices and art studios; the basement housed the cafeteria.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
A graduation commencement when the school was called Rosary Hill College. Photo courtesy of Daemen College.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The gold leaf ceiling takes on every color in the spectrum as it gleams and reflects depending on where you're situated in the main lobby.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
Daemen's fourth president, Dr. Martin J. Anisman, was instrumental in securing funds to restore Rosary Hall to its 1940s glory, including gold leaf in the main entryway.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The gold leaf ceiling in the main entryway is among the stylistic notes that makes Rosary Hall a historic landmark.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
Old and new. A fireplace detail in one of the large conference rooms.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The Rath Sun Room now stands as a testament to the historical significance of this home.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
A lattice work detail in the Rath Sun Room.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The carved marble detail in the Rath Sun Room's fireplace was inspired by songbirds living on the grounds when it was being built.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
2006 Daemen College graduate and director of alumni relations, Kate Hammer, explains the lobbyu2019s details. Retaining the name Rosary Hall, the building now houses the Daemen College admissions offices as well as the offices of the college external relations staff.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The gold leaf ceiling takes on every color in the spectrum as it gleams and reflects depending on where you're situated in the main lobby.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The main staircase terminates on this decorative walk-around on the second floor.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
A meeting room on the first floor.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
A meeting room on the first floor.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
A back hallway with rich wooden veneers on door jams and trim.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The gold leaf ceiling takes on every color in the spectrum as it gleams and reflects depending on where you're situated in the main lobby.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The wallpaper was meticulously matched with period paper from earlier times.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
Insurance man Herbert Crouch bought the property in 1910, and he built a beautiful Georgian mansion with an adjoining garage and penthouse in 1912. This was called Alswych Hall, now Rosary Hall. In 1935, his wife became ill, and the Crouches moved to California. George Waite bought the property.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
The majestic staircase to the second floor.
A Closer Look: Daemen College's Rosary Hall
Rosary Hall is an example of Italian Renaissance revival architecture. It was built circa 1912 as a mansion for the Crouch family.
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Photo series: A Closer Look: Explore Western New York’s architectural treasures
This series has taken Buffalo News photographers inside, outside, above and, on occasion, underneath local landmarks and to places most people…
