Morgan Smiley Baldwin
Cornerstone Reinstallation Ceremony
November 11, 2006
1:00 p.m.
Baldwin Memorial Stairway
On November 11, 2006, the cornerstone of the Baldwin Memorial Stairway will be reinstalled. The ceremony will take place at 1:00 p.m. with a reception following at Delta Phi.
Originally dedicated on November 11, 1925, the Stairway, which runs from Llenroc (Delta Phi) to University Avenue, was a gift to Delta Phi, to Cornell University, and to the citizens of Ithaca from Arthur J. Baldwin (Class of 1892) in memory of his son, Morgan Smiley Baldwin (Class of 1915), who died during World War I.
Morgan Smiley Baldwin
Morgan Smiley Baldwin of East Orange, New Jersey and a member of Delta Phi, graduated from Cornell in 1915. When the United States declared war against Germany, he enlisted, and was sent to France in May 1918. Towards the end of September, his unit took up position with the British Fourth Army in preparation for the attack on the German Hindenburg line. After several days of fighting, he was severely wounded on September 29. He died of his wounds on October 9 and was buried in Somme American Cemetery and Memorial Bony, Aisne, France.
On September 26, 2006, a sealed copper box was discovered nested in the base of a pier on the parapet of the Baldwin Memorial Stairway on University Avenue. A complete list of the cornerstone box’s original contents is presented below.
Photos of the Box Opening:
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Cornerstone Box Orginal Contents
- "Contents of Corner Stone" list (PDF)
- Picture of Morgan Smiley Baldwin
- Picture of Mrs. Arthur J. Baldwin, mother
- Picture of Arthur J. Baldwin, father, donor
- Delta Phi pin marked "Morgan Smiley Baldwin" and Delta Phi fraternity ribbon
- Seal of the Delta Phi fraternity
- List of Morgan Smiley Baldwin’s classmates
- Letter relating to fraternity matters and particularly to the Baldwin Memorial (PDF)
- List of present members of Pi Chapter of Delta Phi
- Officers of the Delta Phi fraternity and the Board of Governors
- Copy of Delta Phi directory (PDF)
- Copy of last Delta Phi record (PDF)
- List of Delta Phi members who died during the Great War (PDF)
- List of Cornellians who give their lives In the service of the United States and the allies 1914-1918 (PDF)
- List of Tompkins County soldiers who died in the Great War
- Cornell University Classbook of 1892 on 33rd anniversary of graduation, 1925
- "Appreciation of Morgan Smiley Baldwin" by his former friend, Prof. Clinton S. Marsh (PDF)
- Letter of President Livingston Farrand expressing interest of Cornell University in A. J. Baldwin's generous memorial gift
- Cornell Christian Association freshman handbook
- Guide to campus of Cornell University
- Directory of Cornell University--First Term 1925-1926
- Ithaca Board of Commerce book of Illustrations (PDF)
- Finger Lake Book of Illustrations
- City of Ithaca Roster (PDF)
- Cornell Daily Sun, November 10
- Ithaca Daily Journal - News October 15th "Rotary thanks A. J. Baldwin for Memorial"
- Cornell Daily Sun, October 5. Article on "Memorial stairway to be built on Cornell Ave" (PDF)
- Cornell Alumni News, October 15th, "Build Memorial Stairway" (PDF)
- Pictures of progress of the work (PDF)
- Architect's drawings of Baldwin Memorial Stairway (PDF)
- Program of Memorial Services Armistice Day at DeWitt Park
- Program of Morgan Smiley Baldwin memorial services at Llenroc
- Picture of Quadrangle from Goldwin Sith Hall towards Library
- Cornell University calendar, 1925
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Items Added to the Cornerstone Box
Cornell
- Plans of Masonry Repairs
- Construction photographs
- Cornell Daily Sun, November 10, 2006
- Cornell Chronicle, November 9, 2006
- PDC Newsletter, Fall 2006
- “Big Red Book,” 2006-2007
- “Gorges of Cornell”
- 2006-07 Facts
- 2006-07 Pocket calendar
- Cornell pin
- Reinstallation ceremony program
Delta Phi
- Pennant
- The Oracle: Reference Manual, 2002
- Letter from Cornell Delta Phi Association, Ian Wright, President
- Delta Phi composite photograph, 2006
Ithaca
- City of Ithaca Directory, 2006
- City of Ithaca pin
- City of Ithaca University Hill Historic District report
- The History Center of Tompkins County “Steps Through Time”
- “Nam Express,” newsletter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 377
- George S. Tarbell tombstone inscription rubbing
Baldwin family items
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