[9][10] The National Register described the building's architecture as achieving a "unique quality and charm from the fact that vernacular builders selectively borrowed Georgian, Roman Classical, Adamesque, and other European Renaissance architectural forms, elements, and details and combined them in the builder's own esoteric way.

Alexander Hamilton and Henry Lee stayed in the hall during their visit during the Whiskey Rebellion.

Two wings and a portico were added in 1818, allowing the building to house dormitories and dining facilities for students.

In order to make room for the proposed library, it was moved 40 feet (12 m) towards Lincoln Street.

At various times, the basement housed a dining hall, a lunch counter, classrooms, and the bookstore.

[1] On March 4, 1794, the Trustees entered into a contract with William Sherrard to complete the stone building, which was 35 by 30 feet (10.7 by 9.1 m) in size and stood two stories.

[1] In addition to having a library and a reading room for students, the main hall was used as a Presbyterian place of worship.

[1] Plans to enlarge the dormitories facilities, including the possibility of using the entire building as a boarding house, were discussed in 1848 and 1849.

[1] In order to make way for the new library, the Academy Building was moved 40 feet (12 m) to the east and towards Lincoln Street by the John Eichley Corporation of Pittsburgh.

[1] The interior was painted while and the first floor received new fixtures, including new railings, partitions, and windows.

[1] Other proposals asked that the center portion of the building be used as "the long wanted student smoking room on the campus.

[1] The College bookstore opened in the basement in 1938 and was enlarged in 1939 to add a refreshment and lunch counter.

[1] Non-original walls and partitions were removed, opening the hallways in the two wings for free movement, and the main lobby and first floor foyer were restored.

[1] For the exterior, the roof, soffit, and facis were repaired and the brickwork was repainted in a Colonial ivory.