{{Infobox NRHP | nrhp_type = cp | location = Brown University <br>Providence, Rhode Island | image = Brown's Open Curriculum 50 years picnic.jpg | built = 1879–1881 | architect = Alpheus C. Morse | architecture = Richardsonian Romanesque | coordinates = {{coord|41.82625|-71.40258|display=title, inline}} | nocat = yes | partof = College Hill Historic District | nrhp_type2 = nhldcp | partof_refnum = 70000019 | designated_nrhp_type = November 10, 1970 | designated_nrhp_type2 = December 30, 1970 }}
'''Sayles Memorial Hall''' is a Richardsonian Romanesque hall on the central campus of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. The granite structure was designed by Alpheus C. Morse and constructed from 1879 to 1881.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Encyclopedia Brunoniana {{!}} Sayles Hall|url=https://www.brown.edu/Administration/News_Bureau/Databases/Encyclopedia/search.php?serial=S0050|access-date=2021-05-08|website=www.brown.edu}}</ref>
== History == Sayles Hall was built in memoriam of William Clark Sayles, who entered Brown in 1874 and died in 1876.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sayles Hall // Guide to Providence Architecture|url=https://guide.ppsri.org/property/sayles-hall|access-date=2021-05-08|website=guide.ppsri.org}}</ref> In 1878 Sayles' father gifted the school $50,000 for the construction of a building in his son's honor “which shall be exclusively and forever devoted to lectures and recitations, and to meetings on academic occasions.”<ref name=":0" />
== Structure == The building is constructed of rock-faced Westerly granite with Longmeadow brownstone trim.
The structure follows a T-shaped plan. The front section measures 35 by 75 feet and is topped by a hipped roof; the rear of the building has a gabled roof.<ref name=":0" /> The main auditorium of the building is characterized by pine roof trusses.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Makana Tavares '17: Sayles Memorial Hall – Archaeology of Brown University and College Hill|url=https://blogs.brown.edu/archaeology250/2014/10/21/makana-tavares-17-sayles-memorial-hall/|access-date=2021-05-08|language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Organ === The building is home to a 1903 Hutchings-Votey organ gifted to the university by Lucian Sharpe. Today, the organ is the largest remaining Hutchings-Votey organ of its type.<ref name=":0" /> The organ is used for an annual Halloween concert which begins at midnight.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Toledano|first=Elizabeth|date=2016-11-02|title=Steinbach plays Halloween Midnight Organ Concert|url=https://www.browndailyherald.com/2016/11/02/steinbach-plays-halloween-midnight-organ-concert/|access-date=2021-05-08|website=Brown Daily Herald|language=en-US}}</ref>
=== Portraits === The main auditorium of the structure is adorned with 35 historical and contemporary portraits of leaders and benefactors of the university.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Omori|first=Maya|title=Repainting Tradition: Sayles Hall Portraits|url=https://rhodetour.org/items/show/343?tour=40&index=0|access-date=2021-05-08|website=Rhode Tour|language=en}}</ref> In 1997, a portrait of Sarah Elizabeth Doyle was stolen from the building.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 3, 1997|title=A Portrait of a Lady Disappears From Brown University|url=https://www.chronicle.com/article/a-portrait-of-a-lady-disappears-from-brown-university/|access-date=2021-05-08|website=www.chronicle.com}}</ref> In 2016, the university installed a portrait of President Emerita Ruth Simmons, making her the first and only Black woman represented in the collection.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Center|first=Julianne|date=2016-01-28|title=Simmons portrait hung in Sayles|url=https://www.browndailyherald.com/2016/01/28/simmons-portrait-hung-in-sayles/|access-date=2021-05-08|website=Brown Daily Herald|language=en-US}}</ref>
== Gallery == <gallery> File:Sayles Hall, April 2021.jpg File:Sayles Hall interior, Brown University.jpg </gallery>
== References == {{Reflist}}{{Brown University}} Category:Brown University buildings and structures Category:Richardsonian Romanesque architecture in Rhode Island Category:University and college buildings and structures completed in 1881 Category:1881 establishments in Rhode Island Category:Historic district contributing properties in Providence County, Rhode Island Category:National Historic Landmark District contributing properties