Syracuse, New York

15 September 2009

I've been in Syracuse since this past Saturday, attending the "Healthy Buildings 2009" conference.



It's been a busy time. So far, two papers delivered, two sessions co-chaired, a workshop co-led, and many plenary lectures and technical sessions attended. Much of the important networking, brainstorming, and planning occurs in the middle of socializing, over lunch, at coffee breaks, or at dinners. I took a big pause for a few hours this afternoon to take most of these photos.



Syracuse is small, with a population of about 150,000 in the city itself and about 700,000 in the metropolitan area. However, it is one of the bigger cities in central New York. It has a deep industrial history, beginning with salt production early in the 19th century. The Erie Canal ran through the city starting in 1830. It was an important depot on the Underground Railroad that transported escaped slaves from the south in the mid-19th century.

The conference is here because of a relatively young and ambitious indoor environment research program at Syracuse University (SU). I had come to Syracuse for several brief visits in the past to serve on an advisory committee for that research program, so I already knew about what to expect here.

Among the interesting features of Syracuse are photogenic buildings, mostly from an earlier era, sprinkled around the city. The photos at the top and at the bottom of the post show scenes from the SU campus. The second photo depicts a 12 x 60 foot mosaic of the trial and execution of Sacco and Vanzetti (early 20th century event; the mosaic was done in 1967), which also is on the SU campus. (I haven't found a connection between Sacco and Vanzetti and Syracuse that would explain why the mural is here.)

The third photo shows Clinton Square, where the Erie Canal once was. The two smaller photos are of other buildings that I found visually interesting in the downtown area.