Ballou Hall

From atop Walnut Hill, Ballou Hall has witnessed Tufts University’s evolution for nearly two centuries. Have you ever considered what this grand old building has seen? Ballou Hall stands as a testament to Tufts’ growth, from its humble beginnings as a small liberal arts college to the renowned research university it is today. Originally known simply as “College Building,” Ballou Hall was Tufts’ first academic structure. Its cornerstone was laid in 1853, a year after Charles Tufts donated the land, hoping to “put a light” on the barren hill. The building, designed by Gridley J.F. Bryant, cost $38,000 to construct and was completed in 1854. Ballou Hall originally housed everything: classrooms, dormitories, a chapel, a library, even bathing facilities. It truly was the heart of the burgeoning college. The Italianate style, with its red brick and sandstone trimmings, was meant to be seen for miles. Imagine students hurrying up the grand staircase to class, the bell hidden behind the balustrade calling them to lectures and chapel services. In the early days, the top floor served as a dormitory, later housing a mineral museum, classrooms, and literary societies. The second floor, always the administrative core, housed the President’s office and other key figures. The ground floor’s “Large Chapel” eventually became classrooms after the chapel was relocated to Goddard Hall. The design, a refined version of Bryant’s Hathorn Hall at Bates College, is crowned with a bracketed cornice and balustrade. Rusticated corner quoins and sandstone course belts add to its stately presence. Over the years, Ballou Hall underwent several renovations, some obscuring its original features. Thankfully, in the mid-1950s, the architectural firm McKim, Mead, and White restored Ballou Hall to its original glory. The building was gutted, reinforced with steel, and given new life. The last classes were held in the spring of 1955 before the transformation began. In 1892, the Trustees renamed the building to honor Hosea Ballou II, Tufts’ first president. He had overseen Ballou Hall’s construction and played a pivotal role in shaping the university’s early identity. Ballou Hall continues to serve as the center of administration, a fitting tribute to the university’s rich history. As you stand before Ballou Hall today, remember its long and storied past. It has witnessed countless students, faculty, and historical events, shaping Tufts into the institution it is today. The “light” that Charles Tufts envisioned continues to shine brightly from atop Walnut Hill, illuminating the path of knowledge and progress.