fiUL 4 igij 



THE SWASEY OBSERVATORY, DENISON UNIVERSITY^ 

 Herbert C. Wilson 



Director Goodsell Observatory of Carleton College 



This new observatory was presented to Denison University 

 by Mr. Ambrose Swasey, of Cleveland, and was dedicated on 

 June 1 5, 1910. At the request of the editor of Popular Astrono7ny, 

 the following information concerning the building and equipment 

 was given b^ Mr. Swasey and by Mr. T. Milton Dyer, the archi- 

 tect by whom the observatory was designed. Owing to his 

 great modesty, Mr. Swasey does not give much of an idea of the 

 beaut}^, either of the exterior structure of white marble or the 

 elegant interior finish. The observatory is admirably situated 

 on a high ridge commanding a clear horizon, and is in all respects 

 well adapted to both instruction and research. 



In designing this observatory the aim was to produce a build- 

 ing which would adequately meet all the requirements of housing 

 a small telescope with its accessories, and at the same time pre- 

 sent an attractive exterior. 



The small scale of the building necessitated a simple and flat 

 treatment. The materials selected, both for the interior and 

 exterior, are the most permanent and dignified. The exterior 

 walls of white marble are crowned by a very small cornice, the 

 moldings following classical lines. 



The only entrance to the building is through the base of the 

 main observation tower. This leads to a circular room, treated 

 with a Tennessee marble floor, a high Grueby tile wainscot, with 

 plaster walls and cornice above. In the center of the marble 

 floor is a bronze plaque, with a conventional sun in the center 

 and a border formed of the signs of the zodiac (fig. 2). 



The walls above the wainscot are painted and over-glazed. 

 A decorative frieze crowns this surface, and contains a running 

 Biblical quotation: ''The heavens declare the glory of God, and 

 the firmament showeth His handiwork." 



1 Reprinted from Popular Astronomy, vol. xvii, no. 8, October, 1910. 



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