Witmer House, 630 Mt. Hope, with the 2006 addition on the left.

William Crawford Barry, Jr. and his wife Grace built a brick Georgian revival home at 630 Mt. Hope in 1906.  It was designed by J. Foster Warner, the architect of the George Eastman House. He lived in the house until his death in 1936. 

His son, Rochester Mayor and Councilman Peter Barry, was born in the house and lived there until his death in 1973.  The house was bought by James P. Gaudin after Peter's death and he in turn sold it to the University in 1973. 

The house was used as a residence by University Presidents Robert Sproul, Dennis O'Brien and Thomas Jackson before being remodeled and enlarged in 2006 as a residence for President Joel Seligman.  The house was dedicated on May 17, 2006 as the Witmer House in honor of G. Robert Witmer, Jr. (UR 1926). 

References
1936 Patrick William Crawford Barry (12 Jan 1875 - 4 Jul 1936) Grave in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Son of William Crawford Barry, brother of Frederic G. Barry and Arthur A. Barry, father of Peter Barry

1973 "Ex-Mayor Barry Succumbs at 60," Democrat and Chronicle, January 24, 1973, Page 15 | Part 2 |
Mr. Barry served as mayor from 1955 to 1962 and was a councilman for 12 years.  Mr. Barry, a bachelor, resided in the family home at 630 Mt. Hope Ave. on the site of the old Ellwanger and Barry Nurseries. His grandfather, the late Patrick had been a co-founder.

1973 Peter Barry (22 Mar 1912 - 23 Jan 1973) Grave in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Section V, Lot 25.

1973 Deed of Peter Barry executors to James P. Gaudin, 1973, book 4437, page 151.

1973 Deed from James P. Gaudin to the University of Rochester, 1973, book 4451, page 155.  also see book 3619 page 93 (1965)

2006 "Witmer House Dedicated," Rochester Review 68(4) (Summer 2006)
In recognition of their family’s nearly 80-year role in helping guide the University, the president’s residence on Mt. Hope Avenue has been renamed in honor of G. Robert Witmer Sr. ’26, and his wife, Marian C. Witmer. Their son, G. Robert Witmer Jr. ’59, chairman of the Board of Trustees, and his wife, Nancy, were the chief benefactors in a drive to renovate the historic, 100-year-old house and add 2,400 square feet of space. The new space will be used by President Seligman and his wife, Friederike, to host University events and entertain University groups of faculty, students, and guests.
Witmer says the project represents an effort to enhance connections between the University and the community, two areas with which he and his family have been actively involved. “To have the house named after my parents is so appropriate because it’s from them that I learned my love of the University and of the community,” Witmer says.
Built in 1906 on the grounds of the Ellwanger and Barry Nursery Estate, the house was designed by J. Foster Warner, the architect of the George Eastman House. Peter Barry, a former mayor of Rochester, lived in the house until 1973, when the University purchased it.
Since 1922, when the senior Witmer enrolled at Rochester, a total of 13 members of the Witmer family have attended the University.

© 2022 Morris A. Pierce