The Ralph Voorhees Library (now Voorhees Hall), built in 1903, seen in the 1910’s looking down Hamilton St. This was the college’s first building to be built as a library. Prior to its opening, the college’s collection of books was on the top floor of Kirkpatrick Chapel, and prior to that the collection was in Old Queens. Built with a central plan, the library was a beautiful addition to the ever-growing campus. It was named after Ralph Voorhees, a philanthropist who together with his wife, Elizabeth Rodman Voorhees, donated most of the money for the building’s construction. The interior had wide windows for sunlight to come in an illuminate vast reading and work spaces.

In the 1950’s, the library’s collection was about to burst due to the lack of space, so Archibald Stevens Alexander Library was built on College Avenue to forever house the college’s collection. In 1956, the library was converted into office space and then, in 1967, the building became the University Art Gallery.

Finally in 1983, the Gallery was expanded into the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Museum which extends further down Hamilton St. Voorhees Hall currently houses the Department of Art History and is a popular site for lecture classes. Windows were filled in during remodeling phases and the grounds have been slightly altered. Although, the original pillars signifying the building’s Hamilton St entrance remain to this day.

19. Voorhees Hall, Formerly Ralph Voorhees Library, from Old Queens , 1910's