Adams House - Dining/Commons and Library
Address26, Plympton Street, Cambridge, MA, United States of America, 02138
Site Number910B
Previous Building Number
912
Building Root Number 03211
Building Root Number 03211
Architect (Renewal)
Beyer Blinder Belle
Architect (Original)
Coolidge, Shepley, Bulfinch, and Abbott
Building Acquired
1931
Constructed 1931
Renewed 2021
Constructed 1931
Renewed 2021
StatusActive
Site Name HistoryThe site is named for the Adams family, including John Adams and John Quincy Adams, second and sixth Presidents of the United States. The site is also named after its function.Historical NotesThe building was modeled after a room in a Florentine palace and features an antique Italian fireplace. The oak paneled library was built with a high vaulted ceiling, which allowed the Adams House library to increase its collection to 15,000 volumes. The dining hall, commons and library building was constructed for use only by Adams House residents.Additional Information
"Harvard Names Five New House Units." Daily Boston Globe, 13 May 1930, p. 9.
Weber, Paul J. Photographs of Harvard University Buildings and Grounds Taken by Paul J. Weber, Ca. 1929-1931 and 1939. Harvard University Archives call number HUV 2329
Harvard University Archives. Construction Management Records, ca. 1953-1986. Harvard University Archives call number UAV 298.8000
Photographic Views of Adams House, 1931-1961. (1931). Harvard University Archives call number HUV 569
