Front elevation of Carr’s Hill (President’s House)
Front elevation of Carr’s Hill (President’s House), 1907 McKim, Mead & White, architects; signed by Wylie, draftsman Blueprint, 22 x 30 in. University Archives (RG-31/1/2:2.872)

Built on Carr’s Hill and replacing a hodge-podge of buildings, the president’s house overlooked the Rotunda and signified the role of the University’s new leader. Alderman and his wife, Bessie Green Hearn Alderman, were deeply involved in the design for the house. After McKim, Mead & White offered two schemes for the house, the Aldermans suggested that White base the façade on a mansion they admired while living in New Orleans.

The design of Carr’s Hill was constantly fraught with budget constraints and on June 25, 1906, the project took another blow: the death of Stanford White. Murdered by a lover’s husband at the McKim, Mead & White-designed Madison Square Garden in New York City, White described the design for Carr’s Hill just days before his death: “We have endeavored to make the house somewhat patriarchal in character and very close in its general style to that of the old University buildings, by giving it a balance and dignity which should belong to the house of the President of the University in the fine location which you have selected.”

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Stereograph of Edwin Alderman in front of Carr’s Hill, ca. 1917
Keystone View Company
University Archives (RG-30/1/3.923)
Postcard of Carr’s Hill
Postcard of Carr’s Hill, ca. 1914-1921 (MSS 11425-o)
East-West section of Carr’s Hill (President’s House)
East-West section of Carr’s Hill (President’s House), 1907 McKim, Mead & White, architects; signed by Wylie, draftsman Blueprint, 21 1/4 x 30 in. University Archives (RG-31/1/2:2.872)
Following White’s death, the firm redesigned and finally finished the residence and carriage house on Carr’s Hill by 1909. With giant Doric columns high on the hill, Carr’s Hill has since served as both a private house and a gracious setting for University functions. The spacious reception rooms on the first floor have hosted dignitaries as well as welcomed students, University staff, and community members. Carr’s Hill has also been the home for all seven of the University’s presidents and their families. The entire second floor is dedicated to rooms housing the president’s family and guests of the University. The house has hosted intimate family gatherings, holidays, and weddings. A backyard playground was even built for the children of President Edgar F. Shannon in the 1960s.
North-South section of Carr’s Hill (President’s House)
North-South section of Carr’s Hill (President’s House), 1907 McKim, Mead & White, architects; signed by Wylie, draftsman Blueprint, 21 x 30 in. University Archives (RG-31/1/2:2.872)
President Shannon and his family<br />
President Edgar Shannon with his wife, Eleanor, and their children in the Carr’s Hill yard 1965 Courtesy of Eleanor Shannon [only thumbnail size available]
President O'Neil's wife and son<br />
President Robert O’Neil’s wife, Karen, and son, Ben, playing chess at Carr’s Hill ca. late 1980s Courtesy of Karen O’Neil [only thumbnail size available]