WWI Memorial Chapel Mural

It was not long after making Ithaca her home that Alison Mason Kingsbury enjoyed her own mural commission for Cornell with a 1930 panel for the World War I Memorial Chapel, situated in a new Gothic dormitory complex. The project was originally proposed to her former employer, Ezra Winter. However, a lack of funds and other complications led the commission to be passed to A. M. K. on the suggestion of Major Robert E. Treman, of the influential Treman family of Ithaca and Cornell.

Although the final design was the result of a collaboration with the architect, Charles Z. Klauder, one can clearly see the influence of Alfred Janniot and Winter in her allegorical scene of two handsome angels, one male and one female, gracefully meeting at a centered gold star, honoring the fallen soldiers of the First World War.

According to a letter to the artist from Treman, the piece was a success: "I cannot tell you how pleased I am that your mural has met with such complete and enthusiastic approval. I shall always be proud that your mural is a part of the War Memorial."

Cornell University WWI Memorial Chapel. [1930]
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Alison Mason Kingsbury's mural in architect Charles Z. Klauder's WWI Memorial Chapel, part of Cornell's West Campus dormintory expansion.

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Cornell University WWI Memorial Chapel. [1930]
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The WWI Memorial Chapel, photographed in the early 2000s.

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Letter from Major Robert Treman to Alison Mason Kingsbury. [1930]
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Major Robert Treman was an influencial figure in the Ithaca and Cornell communities and the fundraiser for the Cornell WWI War Memorial, which was to be part of the University's west campus expansion. In this letter, Treman approaches Alison Mason Kingsbury about painting a mural for the project, writing:

What I am most interested in is to have a Mural, and have you do it. If I had the say, you would have the commission now. If we can work it out, it would be fine, because I can raise some money, and I hope what I do raise will not be far from what you will feel the job is worth.

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Letter from Charles Z. Klauder to Alison Mason Kingsbury. [1930]
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The final WWI Memorial mural design was the result of a dialogue between A. M. K. and the project's architect Charles Z. Klauder. In this correspondance, Klauder writes to the artist:

I recieved the later sketch for the mural decoration for the Cornell War Memorial, and feel that it is a distinct improvement over the first design. I think it has the qualities which you described in the first part of your letter, i.e., better scale, simpler backgroun and color fresco-like in character.

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

Letter from Major Robert Treman to Alison Mason Kingsbury. [1930]
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After the mural was complete, Major Treman sent A. M. K. this note:

I cannot tell you how pleased I am that your mural has met with such complete and enthusiastic approval. I shall always be proud that your mural is a part of the War Memorial.

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library

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