Stunning views and soothing music and both are offered up by one of Upstate New York's most iconic buildings. The Cornell University community explains the timeless traditions of one of the campuses most famous structures.
ITHACA, N.Y. -- Whether one is on campus, or jogging in Cass Park, Cornell University's McGraw Clock Tower holds a commanding presence around Ithaca. It's noticeable from various vantage points both near and far.
"The view is stunning. It is one of those tall buildings and because of its placement on the top of Libe Slope you can see it from so many places in Ithaca," said Chimes Program Coordinator, Marisa LaFace.
Built in 1891 and named for Jennie McGraw, a close family friend of Ezra Cornell, the tower is easily one the most recognizable structures in Tompkins County, however, the 173-foot clock tower was originally a library.
"You had to say what book you needed and there were student pages that ran up and down those 161 steps retrieving books for people," said LaFace.
While the clock tower is younger than the university itself one of its more famous moments is a well known prank. However the perpetrator will likely remain unknown until the end of this century.
LaFace said one of the more wonderful mysteries of Cornell occurs around Halloween and has to do with pumpkin perpetrator's and how they got the pumpkin on top of the tower and who actually did it.
"The theory is that someone broke into the tower and climbed up through the roof, you can't see it very well but there's a sort of herring bone pattern on the roof of the tower which if you were a good rock climber would not be technically challenging to climb. There is a time capsule in the base of McGraw tower that was placed at the time of the renovation in 1999. I hear that the confession from the perpetrator is in the said time capsule. said Laface.
The tower also stands as a major significance to the university's long standing traditions.
"Walking to class as a freshman when I first got here the chimes was something that I immediately noticed. I noticed the beautiful music they were playing" said Head Chimes Master Cornell Chimes, Charlie Xu.
Chimes can heard throughout campus three separate times a day. The music played on them has kept up with the times, but many classical pieces are still played, but becoming a chimes master is quite the competition.
"The competition is 10-weeks-long and involves two rounds, the first round is a silent audition actually up here. So we basically partially press down on the levers so we don't actually sound the bells," said Emily Graf, competition coordinator Cornell chimes.
Around 40 people try out during the start and only six or seven candidates are asked back to actually perform for a time before being granted the title. The music they play, combined with the history of the tower, often serve as the backdrop for the love that can be found by many in the Cornell community.
"There are a number of engagements that have taken place in the tower. I can speak for myself personally to be one of those people,"said LaFace.
Such traditions are anticipated to continue serving as the backdrop both visually and audibly for another 150 years and beyond.