825 Centre St. Alumni House

Across the sprawling Boston College Law School campus sits 825 Centre St. Alumni House. It’s not just another building. It’s a silent storyteller, whispering tales of bygone eras. 825 Centre St. Alumni House, originally known as the Henry I. Harriman House, stands as a testament to a time when Newton’s suburban landscape was dotted with elegant estates. Built in 1916 for the power company executive Henry I. Harriman, the house embodies the French château style, a touch of European grandeur nestled in Massachusetts. Imagine Harriman, who would later become president of the United States Chamber of Commerce, strolling through the sunporches that flank both sides of the building. The architect, John Barnard, poured his heart into this project. It was his first major commission, and the success of 825 Centre St. Alumni House catapulted his career, leading to other high-profile projects. The house’s design is a feast for the eyes. A steep hip roof, punctuated by dormers, crowns the 2+1⁄2-story stuccoed structure. The cornice, adorned with egg-and-dart moulding, adds a touch of refinement. Tuscan columns support a balustraded portico, sheltering the entrance set within an arched opening. The landscape architect Arthur Shurtleff, also of Boston, designed the original grounds, though they are now fully integrated into the Boston College Law School campus. The story of 825 Centre St. Alumni House takes a turn in 1950 when Newton College of the Sacred Heart, founded just four years earlier, acquired the property. The house became part of the growing campus, a new chapter in its life. For a time, it was even known as Putnam House, honoring benefactor Roger Lowell Putnam. Finally, in 1974, Newton College of the Sacred Heart merged with Boston College. The campus, including 825 Centre St. Alumni House, became the new home for Boston College Law School. Today, the house continues its legacy, a beautiful landmark on the law school’s map, simply identified as “825 Centre Street”. It serves as a reminder of the rich history and the many lives that have intertwined with this elegant building.