East Hall (Tufts University)

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East Hall
East Hall - Tufts University - IMG 0952.JPG
East Hall
General information
TypeClassroom, meeting space
Architectural style Italianate
Town or city Medford, Massachusetts
CountryUS
Coordinates 42°24′28″N71°07′07″W / 42.407650°N 71.118738°W / 42.407650; -71.118738 Coordinates: 42°24′28″N71°07′07″W / 42.407650°N 71.118738°W / 42.407650; -71.118738
Opened1860
Renovated1937, 1945, 1966
Cost$19,191.90
OwnerTufts University
Technical details
MaterialBrick
Floor countThree
Design and construction
Architect Thomas Silloway

East Hall is a historic academic building on the campus of Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts. Built in 1860 and designed by Thomas Silloway, it was Tufts' third building constructed on Walnut Hill following Ballou Hall in 1852 and Middle Hall (Packard Hall) in 1856. The building currently houses the Departments of English and History.

Tufts University private research university in Medford/Somerville, Massachusetts

Tufts University is a private research university in Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts. A charter member of the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC), Tufts College was founded in 1852 by Christian universalists who worked for years to open a nonsectarian institution of higher learning. It a small New England liberal arts college until its transformation into a larger research university in the 1970s. The university emphasizes active citizenship and public service in all its disciplines, and is known for its internationalism and study abroad programs.

Medford, Massachusetts City in Massachusetts, United States

Medford is a city 3.2 miles northwest of downtown Boston on the Mystic River in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States. In the 2010 U.S. Census, Medford's population was 56,173. It is home to Tufts University, which has its campus along the Medford and Somerville border.

Thomas Silloway American architect

Thomas William Silloway was an American architect, known for building over 400 church buildings in the eastern United States.

Contents

Description

East Hall is a modest three-story rectangular block brick structure, topped by a low-pitched roof and pierced by several brick chimneys. The main facade poses a slight projection capped by a triangular pediment. Similar to Ballou, the building possesses an array of Italianate elements such as arched window headings, dentiled cornice moldings, and thick brownstone keystones. During the 20th century, window sashes, frames, windowsills, and the cornice were painted white to enhance the aesthetic character. The east end doorway was also removed as were most of the chimneys. Today it is considered a positive architectural presence on Walnut Hill. [1]

History

During one of the annual meetings on January 13, 1857, the Board of Trustees authorized the Executive Committee to plan for the creation of a new Boarding Hall. With an estimated cost of $10,000, on May 24, 1859, the Executive Committee voted for the creation of a new building across from Ballou. On May 29, 1860, they commissioned Thomas W. Silloway, a Boston architect who was also an ordained Unitarian clergyman to prepare plans and specifications for the new building. While he was primarily known for his ecclesiastical architecture, Silloway also secured commissions for public and higher education buildings. On May 1861, the Executive Committee reported the completion of East Hall at a cost of $19,191.90. The larger than expected expense was funded by a $50,000 state pledge made in 1859. [2] When it opened, it contained a central staircase from which double-loaded corridors extended. A dining facility known as 'The Dive' was moved from Packard Hall to the basement, along with a kitchen and washroom, due to its advantage of being on the hill side with three walls having windows. It was used as the Commons dining hall for Tufts until the construction of Commons Hall, now Curtis Hall, in 1893. The interior has been remodeled several times in 1937, 1945, and 1966. During World War II it was put to military use where each of the two-person suites were converted to three-person rooms. and in 1966, it was converted from a men's dormitory and became the academic headquarters for the Departments of English, German and the Romance Languages. In 1989 with the construction of Olin Hall, the German and Romance Language Departments moved out, being replaced by the Department of History. [2] [3]

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References

  1. Tolles, Jr., Bryant F. (2011). Architecture & Academe: College Buildings in New England before 1860. University Press of New England. p. 135.
  2. 1 2 Russell, Miller E. (1966) Light on the Hill: A History of Tufts College (1852-1952).
  3. Bennett, John; Branco, Jessica; Crowley, Zachary; Sauer, Anne (2000). Concise Encyclopedia of Tufts History.