The sixth floor of Jefferson Hall includes the Alexander M. Haig, Jr. Room and Hallway, the Class of 1975 Terrace, and the Class of 1981 Rotunda Art Gallery. The Haig Room and Hallway are named for distinguished graduate GEN Alexander Meigs Haig, Jr. (USMA 1947). The Haig Room is reserved for special functions; however, the Haig Hallway is open for patronage. The Class of 1975 Terrace provides a spectacular northern view of the Hudson River and extends the social function of the Haig Room. The Rotunda Art Gallery, located in the lobby of the sixth floor, also often offers additional space for functions held in the Haig Room.
Class of 1975 Terrace
In addition to the stunning Hudson Valley views, the terrace also affords views of the Plain, playing fields, monuments, professors' quarters, and Revolutionary War forts. From this vantage point, one can see why General Washington and his lieutenants decided to fortify West Point. By controlling this particular geographic location, the Continental troops could deny the vital transportation of the Hudson River to the British forces.
Look to the west to see Fort Putnam, overlooking and protecting the lower batteries and redoubts. To the North, we see Trophy Point and Battle Monument, and Bannerman's Island up the river. To the East, we see the Hudson River, Kosciuszko Monument (currently removed while undergoing refurbishment), Lincoln Hall, Cullum Hall (the future home of the USMA Library Archives and Special Collections), and the West Point Club. Looking down on the level of the Plain, we see the Superintendent's Quarters constructed in 1820, the Commandant's Quarters, the Dean's Quarters, the reviewing stands, the soccer fields and baseball stadium named for Abner Doubleday, USMA 1842, who for many years was credited with the invention of the game of baseball.
If you would like to learn more, three interpretive panels are installed on the terrace's rails that discuss the history of West Point through visible landmarks.
Alexander M. Haig, Jr. Room and Hallway
Many conferences and special events are hosted in the Haig Room in support of cadets and West Point. Some examples are the Senior Leader Conference, Model United Nations, McDonald Leadership Conference, West Point Negotiation Conference, Student Conference on U.S. Affairs, Teaching with Technology Fair, and Projects Day.
The Dean and the USMA Library also host the Dean's Celebration of West Point Authors events in the Haig Room. This event highlights works of scholarship from across all academic disciplines and features a panel of distinguished speakers. It reflects West Point's strong commitment to achievement in scholarship. The scholarship includes journal articles, conference presentations, blog posts, book chapters, and the writing and editing of books.
At the rotunda's southeast corner, doors leading to the Haig Hallway are open when the Haig Room is not in use. Memorabilia from GEN Haig's career, starting with his graduation picture and concluding with his tenure as Secretary of State, line the hallway leading to the piano, which is available for cadet use when the Haig room is free.
Built-in cases throughout the room serve to display materials.
Thomas Sully's Portraits of James Monroe, Jonathan Williams, and Thomas Jefferson
On the south wall of the Haig Room hang Thomas Sully's portraits of James Monroe, Jonathan Williams, and Thomas Jefferson. The paintings are part of the library's long history. They originally hung in the library that was located in the Academy building until a fire in 1838. Thomas Sully's son, Alfred, was a cadet who described the event in a letter to his father dated March 12, 1838:
" ... Perhaps you did not hear of the great conflagration we had here last February 19th. It was discovered about two o'clock in the morning by a Cadet who smelt the smoke, and looking about saw the fire breaking out in the fencing room, he immediately went to the Barracks and gave the alarm; the place was soon crowded with Cadets, Officers, soldiers, etc. The Cadets were the only ones who were bold enough to go into the library with the exception of lieut. Alvord, for which the Corps deserved much credit, as well as for their love of the fine arts, for the general cry when they arrived there was "save the pictures" which they did with little injury. They let them fall as well as they could out of the windows. The Monroe stretching frame was broken, and he was scratched a little, but not in the face; as to the rest they all got off very safely."
Next, head down the stairs or take the elevator to the 5th floor and go to the 5th Floor tab of this guide.
