The history of Stevens often refers to a building that adorned Castle Point for decades but no longer stands: Castle Stevens. Castle Stevens was the pinnacle of the Stevens family estate and the Stevens campus. Sadly, Castle Stevens fell to the wrecking ball in 1959 to allow for the erection of a 13-story student-faculty center, now the Wesley J. Howe Center. The history of Castle Stevens and its demolition for a new, modern student center is somewhat controversial: many opposed and protested its destruction in the late 1950s, worked on an attempt to restore the deteriorating building, and have since fought to keep the Victorian edifice from being forgotten.
John Stevens (1749-1838), the patriarch of the Stevens family, built the ‘Great Villa on the Hudson’ as a home for his family. Tragedy struck in 1851 when a fire destroyed the Stevens home. In 1853, John Stevens’ son, Robert Livingston Stevens, erected a 40-room manor known as ‘Castle Stevens.’ The new Italianate villa with clear allusions to Victorian architectural styles included beautiful crystal chandeliers, rich wood ornaments, and a 60-foot high dome topped with a sparkling stained-glass skylight. The grounds boasted a similar grandeur–a greenhouse, root cellar, and port by the Hudson–all connected through tunnels.
When Robert Stevens passed away in 1856, the land fell to his brother, Edwin Augustus Stevens. When Edwin passed in 1868, he left a clause in his will; he gave land, a $150,000 building fund, and a $500,000 endowment for a university. In 1870, the Stevens Institute of Technology opened with a rigorous engineering curriculum culminating in a baccalaureate named “Mechanical Engineering,” the first of its kind. Edwin’s wife, Martha Bayard Stevens, lived in Castle Stevens until she died in 1899. Her son, also named Edwin A. Stevens, and his family lived there too.
The Stevens family lived in the castle until Alumni Day: May 27, 1911. The school, which shared a name with the family, purchased the land and villa with a grand celebration as the day’s events included a dinner, concert, and dance. The school transformed the castle into a student, faculty, and graduates center of living, learning, and festivity. For decades, the villa remained a cornerstone of the university and hosted many dances, graduations, and dinners. The castle was even occupied as barracks during World War II as Stevens served as a training center for future naval officers.
In 1951, money was set aside by the Stevens’ fund to restore the castle. The hope was that the restoration would rejuvenate the structure to house students, staff, and graduates. Additionally, in 1954 on the 100th anniversary of Castle Stevens, the school dedicated a plaque to celebrate the great history of the building. In 1958, work on the castle finished, leaving hope that Castle Stevens would last long into the future. To the dismay of many, this turned out not to be the case.
In June of 1959, the Stevens Institute of Technology Board of Trustees announced the demolition and replacement of Castle Stevens with a modern, 13-story student-faculty center. According to the Director of Development and Public Relations, Edwin B. Stearns Jr., the castle needed a $100,000 renovation and would need $30,000 per year to maintain. Additionally, Castle Stevens needed more facilities, space, and innovation to keep up with the rapidly growing university. The Stute worked tirelessly campaigning for the oldest building on campus– the structure representing the history and glory of the Stevens family and the university. Sadly, efforts were fruitless as Castle Stevens was demolished in December 1959.
Castle Stevens was a beacon of innovation and history across centuries of the Stevens family and the university. Although many opposed its demolition, it led the way for the Wesley J. Howe Center and a revolution of new facilities and innovations that shaped the school into what it is today. So as you walk past the Howe Center, visit the Office of Undergraduate Academics on the 9th floor, or enjoy a meal in Pierce Dining Hall or the Pierce Café, remember the history of the beautiful castle that once stood there and the legacy that you hold as a Stevens student.
Be First to Comment