Ballou Hall

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Coordinates: 42°24′27″N 71°07′13″W / 42.4075964°N 71.1203308°W / 42.4075964; -71.1203308
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Ballou Hall
McKim, Mead, and White

Ballou Hall is a historic academic building on the campus of

McKim, Mead, and White
and remains the center of administration for the university.

Description

Credit for the architectural design was questioned until Bryant's signature surfaced on a college legal document. During the 1850s, Bryant had been well known in Boston for designing civic and commercial buildings such as

McKim, Mead, and White reverted the building to its original appearance in 1955–56. During the renovation the building was gutted and new steel-reinforced walls and floors were inserted. The last classes held in the building were in Spring of 1955.[1][2]

History

Originally known as College Building, College Hall, or the College Edifice,[3] the building was conceived initially during the late 1840s by the founders of Tufts. It was not until July 21, 1852 when sufficient funds were raised and land was located that formal construction could begin. The Board of Trustees even voted to create a building committee and instructed the body to devise a master plan for the College buildings. The building cost $38,000 to construct. Construction commenced under the direction of Rev. Otis Skinner in November 1852. Winter storms and harsh weather obtruded construction but ultimately by July 19,1853 a ceremony was held for the corner stone of the new building. Progress on construction was highly documented by the "Trumpet and Universalist Magazine." The walls and roof were completed by November and the interior was finished in 1854.[4] The building was renamed Ballou Hall by the Trustees in 1892.[3]

Since construction, the interior has been renovated and rearranged on several occasions. Originally, in addition to recitation rooms, the building contained dormitories, bathing accommodations, a chapel, library, and two common rooms. The configuration remained so for several years in referencing the physical plans of the first English universities. The top floor originally held student dormitories and later held a mineral museum, classrooms, a library and the literary societies the Mathetican Society and the Zetagathean, which formed in the building. The building housed the college library until it was dispersed to Middle Hall, now Packard Hall, and then moved to

Eaton Library. The second floor was intended to be the main floor with a broad stairway reaching it from the south façade. Since its existence, the second floor has been the administrative core of the university. On the ground floor was the "Large Chapel." When the chapel was moved to Goddard, the space was enlarged and became classrooms. Also present was a recitation room and the president's office. The cellar of the building eventually became laboratory space used by the new departments of engineering.[5][6]

Images

  • Plaque of Hosea Ballou II on the building
    Plaque of Hosea Ballou II on the building
  • Secretary of State John Kerry climbs up the stairs of the building
    Secretary of State John Kerry climbs up the stairs of the building
  • Secretary of State John Kerry meets with the Quintet in Ballou's legislative hall
    Secretary of State John Kerry meets with the Quintet in Ballou's legislative hall
  • Ballou Hall in 1853
    Ballou Hall in 1853
  • Ballou Hall in 2022
    Ballou Hall in 2022

References

  1. ^ Bennett, John; Branco, Jessica; Crowley, Zachary; Sauer, Anne (2000). Concise Encyclopedia of Tufts History.
  2. ^ "Tufts Then & Now" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 3, 2016. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  3. ^ a b Miller, Russell E. (1966). Light on the Hill: A History of Tufts College 1852-1952. Boston: Beacon Press. p. 177.
  4. ^ Tolles, Jr., Bryant F. (2011). Architecture & Academe: College Buildings in New England before 1860. University Press of New England. p. 132.
  5. ^ "Gridley J.F. Bryant and the First Building at Tufts College" (PDF). Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  6. ^ Tolles, Jr., Bryant F. (2011). Architecture & Academe: College Buildings in New England before 1860. University Press of New England. p. 132.
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