Boylston Hall

Ward Nicholas Boylston. A name etched in stone and legacy. Here at Boylston Hall, his generosity echoes through time. Boylston Hall stands as a testament to his vision. In 1828, he bequeathed funds to Harvard for its construction. The building materialized in 1858. Its Rundbogenstil design, crafted by Paul Schulze, was a marvel of its time. The Rockport granite, a specific request of Boylston, gleams even today. Originally a hip roof graced its top. However, in 1871, Peabody and Stearns added a mansard roof, creating the third floor we see now. Boylston Hall has always been a hub of knowledge. Initially, it served as a chemistry building. Its halls buzzed with experiments and lectures. It housed Jeffries Wyman’s anatomical museum. Wyman was a Professor of Comparative Anatomy. He also became the first curator of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology in 1866. A mineralogical collection also found a home within Boylston’s walls. In the 20th century, Boylston Hall embraced a new role. It became the first home of the Harvard-Yenching Institute. A major transformation occurred in 1959. Benjamin Thompson and Associates led a gut renovation. This marked an early example of adaptive reconstruction. The architects skillfully blended glass and steel with the original historic details. Boylston Hall then became the university language center. Today, the Harvard Classics Department resides within its walls. Inside Boylston Hall, the Fong Lecture Hall offers seating for 144. The seminar rooms, now strategically placed along the outside walls, offer natural light. They are a far cry from the windowless rooms of the past. Boylston Hall stands as a symbol of adaptation and enduring purpose. It continues to inspire learning and discovery.