During his tenure as president, Giddings began construction on Recitation Hall, the first permanent building for the school.

The brick is laid in Flemish bond on all four sides, and wide pilasters delineate the bays on all facades.

The central front facade is a two-story pedimented portico with six brick graduated columns with Ionic capitals.

[3] The college's early association with Elijah Craig, who historically is linked to inventing Bourbon whiskey, has fueled a local legend claiming that "a quart of bourbon reposes under each of the six Ionic columns of the portico".

[4][5] The double windows and Italianate style hoodmolds were added in 1879 when Pawling Hall was constructed.