Hemenway Gymnasium
Address1515, Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, United States of America, 02138
Site Number854
Building Root Number
03870
Architect (Original)
Coolidge, Shepley, Bulfinch, and Abbott
Constructed
1940
Building Acquired 1940
Building Acquired 1940
StatusActive
Materials for this building in our collection are not fully processed at this time.
Site Name HistoryThe site is named for Augustus Hemenway (A.B. 1875), Boston philanthropist and Harvard overseer. Hemenway had donated the funds for the original gymnasium structure, built in 1878, which stood nearby.Historical NotesHemenway Gymnasium was designed for Harvard by Boston-based Coolidge Shepley Bulfinch and Abbott and opened in 1940; it is the second building on Harvard's campus with this name. The building was used during World War II as an underwater sound laboratory and later reconverted to a gymnasium. The construction of the gymnasium was funded by the university.Additional Information
"Two New Buildings: Hemenway Gymnasium and Littauer Center of Public Administration Reflect the Evolution of Harvard's Classical Tradition." Architectural Forum, Jul 1, 1940, Vol. 73:1, p.55.
Canter Construction Company. Records of the Canter Construction Company Relating to the Construction of Buildings at Harvard University, 1938-1968. Harvard University Archives call number Accession 14622 and 14628.
“Photograph Album of the Building of Hemenway Gymnasium, 1938.” Harvard University Archives call number HUB 1450.686
Hemenway Gymnasium. “General Information by and about Hemenway Gymnasium.” Harvard University Archives call number HUB 1450.2
Tribune, Special to the Herald. “Harvard Draws Plans for Two New Buildings: School of Public Administration To Be at Site of Hemenway Gymnasium Latter To Be Replaced Gannett House To Be Moved a Bit to Make Room for It.” New York Herald Tribune, 25 Aug. 1937, p. 11.
“Harvard Opens New Gymnasium In Cambridge.” The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 1938, p. 12.
“New Harvard Gymnasium To Be Opened Tomorrow.” New York Times, 1938, pp. 99-.
“Harvard to Complete New Gym by October.” Daily Boston Globe, 16 June 1938, p. 6.
“New Hemenway Gym to Open Monday: Structure Replaces That Built in 1879.” Daily Boston Globe, 10 Dec. 1938, p. 7.
“New Hemenway Gym Under Construction.” Cambridge Tribune, 17 June 1938, p. 3.
“Two New Harvard Buildings : Coolidge, Shepley, Bulfinch & Abbott, Architects.” Architectural Forum, vol. 73, July 1940, pp. 55–60.
“Harvard to Build Public Administration School and Gymnasium.” Cambridge Tribune, 27 Aug. 1937, pp. 1; 8.
Canter Construction Co., Eliot D. Construction of Hemenway Gymnasium by Canter Construction Co., 1938. (1938). Harvard University Archives call number HUB 1450.687
This building has been designated by the University Planning Office as having a Notable Interior.