Nomination for Boston Young Men's Christian Association

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

NPS Form 10-900 OMB No. 1024-0018 (Rev. 10-90) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service RECEIVED 2280 JUL 241998 National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NAT. REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES NATIONAL PARK SERVICE 10 This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (National Register Bulletin 16A). Complete each item by marking "x" in the appropriate box or by entering the information requested. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions.

Place additional entries and narrative items on continuation sheets (NPS Form 10-900a). Use a typewriter, word processor, or computer, to complete all items. 1. Name of Property historic name BOSTON YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION other names/site number YMCA OF GREATER BOSTON, CENTRAL BRANCH; HUNTINGTON AVENUE YMCA 2. Location street & number_ 312-320 HUNTINGTON AVENUE not for publication city or town_ BOSTON state_ MASSACHUSETTS -code_MA county SUFFOLK code_025 - vicinity zip code 02115 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1986, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60.

In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant - nationally - statewide A locally. (- See continuation sheet for additional comments.) uditz 3. Mudenou 7/17/98 Signature of certifying official/Title Judith B. McDonough, Executive Director Date Massachusetts Historical Commission, State Historic Preservation Officer State or Federal agency and bureau In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. ( See continuation sheet for additional Comments.) Signature of certifying official/Title Date State or Federal agency and bureau 4. National Park Service Certification 1, hereby certify that this property is: rentered in the National Register - See continuation sheet. - determined eligible for the National Register - See continuation sheet.

- determined not eligible for the National Register - removed from the National Register - other (explain): Date of Action 8.20.98 Boston Young Men's Christian Association Name of Property 5. Classification Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply) x private - public-local _ public-State _ public-Federal Suffolk. MA County and State (Check only one box) X building(s) district _site structure _ object Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count.) Contributing Noncontributing 1 buildings sites structures objects _total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register Name of related multiple property listing (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing.) N/A 6.

Function or Use Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Social/Civic Education Recreation and Culture/sports facility Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions) Social/Civic Education/School Recreation and Culture/Sports Facility Domestic/multiple dwelling 7. Description Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions) Tapestry Brick Classical Revival Materials (Enter categories from instructions) foundation CONCRETE walls BRICK TERRA COTTA roof TAR AND GRAVEL other IRON Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current condition of the property on one or more continuation sheet NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - Page - OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Boston Young Men's Christian Assn. Boston (Suffolk County), Mass.

7. DESCRIPTION The Boston YMCA stands on the south side of Huntington Avenue, a four-lane thoroughfare with a protected trolley line running down the center. Set back approximately eight feet from the sidewalk, the building occupies nearly its entire 1.5813-acre lot. Rectangular areas planted with grass and ornamental shrubs are enclosed by granite curbs at the sidewalk, granite stoops at the three entries, and the facade. The YMCA stands in an area of cultural and educational institutions and commercial buildings, most of which are smaller, but compatible in style and material. In is flanked by the New England Conservatory of Music and Northeastern University on the east and west; St. Botolph Street forms the southern boundary of the property. According.

to the building permit granted on December 14, 1911 the YMCA was constructed on filled land with concrete foundation, set on 30 foot wooden piles. The building's dimensions are 246' along Huntington Avenue, 196' deep, and 271' at the rear. It is constructed of tan brick and terra cotta at the principal elevations (N,E, and W) and red brick at the secondary elevation. The plan consists of three connected blocks, identified on 1912 plans as the Administration Building, the Education Building and the Gymnasium. The facade is 25 bays wide and rises seven stories to a flat roof. The Administration Building is a rectangular block consisting of the easternmost 20 bays of the facade. It is three bays deep. Continuous with the Administration Building at the facade, the Education Building is a rectangular block extending to the south, and includes the western five bays of the facade.

Its west elevation extends 23 bays to the rear, and the rear elevation is five bays wide. The south and east elevations of the Education Building are red brick. Extending from the rear of the Administration Building, and connected by two bridges to the Education Building is the red-brick Gymnasium. Its principal elevation is to the south where it is ten bays wide. The east and west ends are minimally visible due to their proximity to adjacent buildings. A T-shaped light court exists at the junction of the three blocks. (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places - Continuation Sheet Section number -/ Page - 2 OM8 Approval No. 1024-0018 Boston Young Men's Christian Assn. Boston (Suffolk County), Mass.

The three principal facades are vertically divided into four elements: a projecting tan terra cotta base (part of which is below grade), a two-story element including the three principal entrances and capped by a continuous cornice, and afive-story block (four stories on the western five bays and west elevation) terminated by a continuous cornice and parapet above. The building gains enrichment from variations in brick patterns and the lavish use of terra cotta ornament, particularly around the three Huntington Avenue entrances and along its detailed projecting cornice. The common bond brick pattern (running bond with Flemish bond every eighth course) is used with some decorative variations on the three principal elevations visible from the Avenue. This pattern is interrupted by a projecting terra cotta sillcourse beneath the first story windows.

There are also slightly projecting individual terra cotta sills beneath all other windows on the three elevations, with those on level three, which rest on a terra cotta string course, both thicker and longer than those at other levels. Subtle brick and terra cotta details at all levels enrich the three principal elevations. Acting as lintels over the first and second story windows are bands of six- soldier groups alternating with three stacked stretchers, with the center stretcher being cream terra cotta with a slightly raised horizontal diamond form. This is repeated between sills on the second story. The brick window surrounds and terra cotta insets become more dominant above the second story, with verticality stressed. With the exception of the five western bays on Huntington Avenue (where there are four levels rather than five), all bays are treated in a similar fashion.

Three stacks of brick headers, stepping in toward the sash, surround each bay from the third through the sixth stories (third through fifth at the five western bays and along the west elevation). Terra cotta blocks are inset between the windows and at the corners in each stack, while top-story windows are nearly square, and are individually surrounded by brick headers with terra cotta blocks in the corners. Placement and detailing of the fenestration on the east elevation is similar to that on the north and west, exceptthat first-story sills are higher. The east elevation gains its individuality from the existence of a steel fire escape with spiral staircase serving five steel balconies. There are full-height window stacks on this elevation, plus two stacks on a two-story extension.

There is a steel grille over an areaway running along the (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Section number - Page _ 3 Boston Young Men's Christian Assn. Boston (Suffolk County), Mass. foundation, with steps down to the basement level and an entrance to the abutting building to the rear. Windows at the principal elevations vary in size, but all contain double- or triple-hung wood sash. At the first story windows contain 12/12 sash with a transom, while second- story sash are 8/8 with a transom, and iron balconies. Most other sash is 8/8, with the exception of the third and fourth stories of the Education Building, where triple hung 8/8/8 sash exist.

The central entrance dominates the Huntington Avenue facade, with the two secondary entrances enriching the first floor near the corners of the building. All three entrances have elaborately rendered terra cotta surrounds, with that of the central entrance being both larger and more intricate in its detailing. Each entry stands at the head of a granite stoop with granite curb. The projecting terra cotta entry surround rises two stories, and is topped by an ornate iron balcony with the letters "YMCA" worked into the design. Set within the terra cotta surround is a two-story round-arched opening with four recessed doors beneath a glazed arch divided into 12 lights. Alternating square and rectangular terra cotta recessed panels follow the inside of the arch, and return to the base which forms the sill for the building's first-story windows.

Ornament on the face of the entrance structure includes cyma reverse, rosette, ovolo and torus bands, as well as an outer strip of shallow raised pyramids. The cornice, supporting the iron balcony, is composed of bands of dentils, diamonds and cyma reverse. The secondary entrances are identical to each other and are centered beneath the second and third window bays from each corner. Within each terra cotta surround are double doors with a 21-light transom above. The entrances are banded by two series of ornament, ovol and panels, each with four slightly curved raised lines. There are rosettes in the two corner squares. A projecting lintel supports an ornamental band and two inverted brackets, with large and small rosettes on either side of a center block.

Along with the center entrance, the cornice is the most elaborately detailed element of the building, especially when combined with the cresting and dentils above, separated by a wide brick band of headers and stretchers. Seven different decorative terra cotta bands build out to form the cornice, including bead and torus moldings, link border, rolled acanthus leaf, rosette and undulate bands. (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a (6-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number -/ - Page - 4 OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Boston Young Men's Christian Assn. Boston (Suffolk County), Mass. A large "Y.M.C.A." sign of small incandescent bulbs is placed diagonally on the north corner of the roof. Large metal "YMCA" letters are positioned vertically near the Huntington Avenue corner of the southwest facade.

The south and east elevations of the Education Building are red brick, with windows set in simple rectangular openings having painted sills and lintels. The Gymnasium's principal facade is the south elevation, which is red brick, rising three stories and extending 11 bays in width. At the westernmost bay is a new recessed entry standing at the head of low concrete stoop. The original center entrance, with double wood doors standing at the head of an iron staircase still exists, and a third entrance with steel stairs has been inserted in a window in the seventh bay from the left. Fenestration at the first story consists of groupings of three narrow windows at each bay; openings contain modern replacement sash. Nine two-story, round arched openings exist at the upper stories of this elevation, containing plywood inserts and openings for small windows and louvered vents.

Original fenestration still extends on both end walls, with large upper windows divided into three sets of upper and lower lights, separated by copper panels. Interior At the first story, original plans for the Administration Building show a north-south axis formed by the main entry vestibule opening onto a lobby, and then onto a large, two-story reception hall, and an east-west axis formed by corridors. Opening off these public spaces are an assortment of offices, game rooms, a billiard room, spa and social rooms. The west entry opened onto a lobby with an auditorium occupying the east end of the building; while upper stories contained dormitory space to house 300 men. The east-west corridor extended west through the Education Building, where it terminated in a stairway. Small offices and meeting rooms existed along the north wall of that wing, arranged around an entry vestibule.

The remainder of the first story consisted of reading and study rooms, a large game room and a large pool room, and a boys' hall at the south end of the building. (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - 7 Page - OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Boston Young Men's Christian Assn. Boston (Suffolk County), Mass. Original first story plans of the Gymnasium show a swimming pool immediately south of the auditorium, with three handball courts south of the pool. An exercise room was located along the south wall, while the remainder of the plan was filled with locker rooms, toilets and a massage room. The most notable original interiors remaining are located at the main entry area where the vestibule, lobby, and reception hall all retain their richly detailed finishes.

The vestibule has a barrel-vaulted ceiling with coffered and bossed terra cotta panels. Lavish paneling exists throughout the lobby and reception hall, which also features large pilasters, scroll brackets, and a second-story gallery with a dentil cornice, more paneling and a balustrade. A large skylight exists above the reception hall. A modernized reception desk exists at the west end of the main lobby, while opposite the desk is a green marble fountain recessed in the paneling. The west entry has some dark stained wood paneling. Other original features include the main staircase rising to the west off the lobby, and having a decorative iron balustrade, paneled wainscoting in the first and second-story corridors, and a paneled library to the east of the main lobby. The second story contains offices and a chapel at the east end.

Upper stories have residential rooms and bathrooms flanking the corridors, while three metal staircases (some with wire cages) serve the Huntington Avenue portion of the building. Building permits show numerous interior alterations of the athletic facilities, residential accommodations and classroom space occurring throughout the building's history. A certified historic rehabilitation of the Administration Building (now known as the Huntington House or Huntington Wing) resulted in the conversion of former dormitory space on the third through seventh stories into 22 family apartments and 66 residential units for individual adults. The current building is the only structure to occupy the site. Boston Young Men's Christian Association Name of Property 8. Statement of Significance

Statement of significance

Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "X" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing.) xA Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. _ B Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. XC Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distingsnable entity whose components lack individual distinction. _D Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. Criteria Considerations (Mark "x" in all the boxes that apply.) Property is: -A owned by religious institution or used for religious purposes. _B removed from its original location.

_ C a birthplace or grave. _ D a cemetery. _E a reconstructed building, object, or structure. _F a commemorative property. _G less than 50 years of age or achieved significance within the past 50 years. Narrative Statement of Significance (Explain the significance of the property on one or more continuation sheets.) Suffolk, MA County and State Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions) ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION SOCIAL HISTORY Period of Significance - 1911-1948 Significant Dates November 20, 1911 Significant Person (Complete if Criterion B is marked above) Cultural Affiliation Architect/Builder Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, architects Woodbury and Leighton, builder - 9.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Major Bibliographical References (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form on one or more continuation sheets.) Previous documentation on file (NPS): Primary location of additional data: - preliminary determination of individual listing (36 x State Historic Preservation Office CFR 67) has been requested - Other State agency - previously listed in the National Register .Federal agency - previously determined eligible by the National - Local government Register University - designated a National Historic Landmark X Other _ recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey Name of repository: _ recorded by Historic American Engineering Boston YMCA Record # NPS Form10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _ 8 Page . OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 Boston Young Men's Christian Assn. Boston (Suffolk County), Mass. 8. SIGNIFICANCE The Boston YMCA possesses integrity of location, design, materials, workmanship, feeling and association. It has significance in Boston's social and educational history as the home of the main branch of an influential educational and social service institution, and as the birthplace of Northeastern University. The construction of the YMCA was part of a pattern of community development in Boston, with numerous cultural and educational institutions constructed in the Fenway area. In addition, it is significant architecturally as a well-preserved, major work of the Boston firm Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge. The building is of local significance, and meets criteria A and C for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The period of significance extends from groundbreaking in 1911 to 1948 based on its continued use as the Central Branch of the Boston WMCA. The Fenway consisted originally of a marshy area of the Charles River Basin flats along the meandering Muddy River, with two peninsulas (Gravelly and Sewall's Point). A milling operation existed along Gravelly Point for approximately 30 years beginning c. 1820, while railway lines ran through the Charles River Basin in the area. Landfilling occurred in the mid-nineteenth century beginning at Arlington Street, and proceeded westward as the century passed, with residential and institutional development following. Located close to the earlier-developed, largely residential Back Bay and South End, the East Fens area saw intense development with educational and cultural institutions in the 1890s and early twentieth century.

Taking advantage of the newly available land and increased access via the 1891 Harvard Bridge at Massachusetts Avenue, institutions such as the Christian Science Church (1894), Boston Medical Library (1900), Symphony Hall (1899-1900), HorticulturalHall (1903). The New England Conservatory of Music (1903) and the Museum of Fine Arts (1907-08) moved into the East Fens in a relatively short period. These buildings, many of them in the Classical Revival style, represent major works by prominent Boston architects, including McKim, Mead and White; Wheelwright and Haven; William T. Sears; and Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge.

Construction of the Boston YMCA during 1911-13 was in keeping with the pattern of (continued) NPSForm 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior NationalParkService National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No.1024-0018 Section number _ Page - Boston Young Men's Christian Assn. Boston (Suffolk County), Mass. institutional growth in the area, which has continued to the present. Northeastern University's campus has expanded from the 1930s to the present, and the Christian Science Church of 1894 has grown into the Christian Science Center, a 15-acre site along Huntington Avenue. The first Young Men's Christian Association was founded in London in 1844. The movement reached North America by 1851 with the establishment of associations in Montreal, Boston and New York City.

Boston's YMCA, the first in the United States, grew rapidly and led to the establishment of YMCA's in cities throughout the country. Under the control of members from evangelical churches, the Boston YMCA officially opened on March 11, 1852, occupying rooms on the fourth floor at 228 Washington Street. Later that year, with already approximately 1,600 members, the association moved to a suite of rooms in the new Tremont Temple, remaining at that location for a generation. In 1872 the YMCA secured the Tremont Gymnasium building at the corner of Eliot and Tremont Streets. In addition to a library, reading, parlor and committee rooms, the building had a hall accommodating 600 people, and a new feature - a gymnasium occupying the entire fourth floor. Boston's dramatic rise in population during the second half of the 19th century contributed to the expansion of the YMCA.

In 1882-83 the association purchased a lot and constructed its own building in the Back Bay at 462 Boylston Street at the corner of Berkeley. Designed by Sturgis and Brigham, this Queen Anne building with high stepped roof gables was five stories tall with pressed brick walls and brownstone foundation and trimmings. As early as 1900 a committee was established to raise funds for yet another building, as growth continued.In 1905 a lot was purchased nearby at Arlington and Newbury Streets, and the firm Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge began to design a new building for that site. It was designed in the Renaissance Revival style, and was to be built on the site of the present Ritz-Carlton Hotel. When a fire on January 13, 1910 destroyed the Boylston Street building, plans for the Arlington Street lot were abandoned, that lot was sold, and the Huntington Avenue site was purchased.

Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge produced a new design for the site. One year after the fire, work on the Huntington Avenue building began on a lot between the New England (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - 8 Page - Boston Young Men's Christian Assn. Boston (Suffolk County), Mass. Conservatory of Music and the Huntington Avenue Grounds ballpark, then being used by the Boston Red Sox. A separate vocational building, located behind the YMCA on St. Botolph Street, was completed first in 1911. President William Howard Taft laid the cornerstone of the Huntington Avenue building on October 2, 1912. The new building was completed in 1913 at a total cost of $1.5 million.

The mission of the YMCA was broad, covering the spiritual, educational, physical and social well-being of boys and young men, as well as offering a job placement service. By 1917 membership consisted of 900 junior members (age 11-18) and 6,790 senior members. The average age of members was 28. Religious instruction and evangelical works were components of the YMCA's mission for many years. Physical fitness, long a focus of the Y's work, received greater emphasis with the improved athletic facilities in the Huntington Avenue building. During the period of construction there was discussion about the possibility of establishing a "Negro" branch in the nearby South End, but African-Americans recognized this as an attempt to exclude them from the new building, and the YMCA quickly dropped plans for a separate branch. The World Wars brought new needs for the YMCA to address.

War efforts included fundraising, the establishment of a military drill, training of women drivers, and a serviceman's club during World War I. World War II efforts included a strong emphasis on physical conditioning and maintenance of civilian morale, with programs aimed the needs of children growing up in wartime, and the development of social service programs for members of the armed forces. The Boston YMCA's significance includes the role it played in education and the establishment of Northeastern University. The Association in 1896 established an Evening Institute offering thirty courses in algebra, bookkeeping, drawing, electricity, French, German, Latin, geography, music, stenography and physiology.

During the first decade of the 20th century, the Y developed a college preparatory school, business school, a school of commerce and finance, school of electricity, an automotive school and a polytechnic school/ The schools initiated at the Boston YMCA became the core of Northeastern College (incorporated in 196), which continued to operate out of the (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service Nationai Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Section number - Page - Boston Young Men's Christian Assn. Boston (Suffolk County), Mass. YMCA's building.

In 1930 Northeastern University was established as a separate facility on land abutting the YMCA on Huntington Avenue, but did not become completely separate until the completion of Northeastern's library in 1952 enabled them to remove the last of their programs from the YMCA building. Another element of the YMCA's education program was started in 1909 as the Association Day School, a college preparatory school operated separately from the Y's evening high school program, and aimed at the middle class. Renamed the Huntington School for Boys following the construction of the Huntington Avenue building, the school served approximately 200 boys. Between 1916 and 1959 it was administered by Northeastern, but when the University prepared to move out of the YMCA space in 1948 the decision was made to the YMCA to resume operation of the program, which continued until c. 1968.

Over the decades YMCA branches have been constructed in several Boston neighborhoods, but the Huntington Avenue Y has remained the administrative headquarters. The types of programs offered have evolved to meet modern needs, as a daycare facility, affordable housing for families and individuals, and a Charter school (established in 1995 in the Education Building) all currently exist in the building. A certified historic rehabilitation was carried out in 1995-97, resulting in the creation of renovated housing and the rehabilitation of original exterior and interior features. The Boston YMCA meets Criterion C as a significant work of a major architectural firm in the Tapestry Brick style with Classical Revival detailing. The building's characteristic pier and spandrel construction is enlivened by brick and terra cotta ornament.

The two- story, arched, Classically detailed, terra cotta central entry is richly ornamented, and capped by a decorative iron grille. Two secondary entrances at the facade are smaller, but similarly detailed. Other notable features include curved iron second story balconies, and a richly detailed cornice. The YMCA was designed by Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, who had been previously commissioned to design the Arlington Street YMCA building that was not executed. George F. Shepley (1860-1903), Charles Hercules Rutan (1851-1914) and Charles A. Coolidge (1858-1936) were principals in the firm that developed out of H.H. Richardson's Boston office. Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge's firm (1886-1915) was (continued) NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number - Page _ 5 OMB Approval No.

1024-0018 Boston Young Men's Christian Assn. Boston (Suffolk County), Mass. subsequently known as Coolidge and Shattuck (1915-1924) and afterwards as Coolidge, Shepley, Bulfinch and Abbott (1924-1952). It remains active today under the name Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson, and Abbott. Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge were responsible for the designs of many important commercial and office buildings in downtown Boston including the Ames Building at 1 Court Street (1887-89), the Chamber of CommerceBuilding (1892), Boston Safe Deposit and Trust Company, 86-102 Franklin Street (1908-11), South Station (1899) and the Congregational House, 12-14 Beacon Street (1898). The firms institutional work included the Robert B. Brigham Hospital, Harvard Dental School (1910), Harvard Medical School (1903-07), Children's Hospital (1912) and Rotch Memorial Infants Hospital (1910).

Notable commissions outside of Boston include the Chicago Public Library (1893), Stanford University (1888) and the University of Chicago (1900-16). Woodbury and Leighton, a major contracting firm in the Boston area, were the builders of the YMCA, having alsobeen responsible for the construction of several landmark buildings in Boston. These included the Boston Public Library, First Church of Christ Scientist and the International Trust Building. The Boston YMCA is more modest in its detailing, reflecting its slightly later construction date, but is similar in style and scale to such other classically-inspired institutional buildings in the Fenway such as the adjacent New England Conservatory of Music (1903), Horticultural Hall (1903) and the Boston conservatory of Music (1901).

The Copley Plaza Hotel (1911) was a more richly executed example of the -Classical Revival style executed in brick that the Boston WMCA. In the context of the work of Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, the Boston YMCA is a respectable piece of work, overshadowed by the firm's numerous higher profile projects. While the YMCA was a major project designed for a significant Boston organization, it does not attempt to outshine such stellar work as the Ames Building, South Station and the Harvard Medical School. (end) Boston Young Men's Christian Association Name of Property Suffolk,MA County, State 10. Geographical Data Acreage ofProperty 1.5813 acres UTM References See continuation sheet. (Place additional UTM references on a continuation sheet) 1. 19 Zone 332800 Easting 4689500 Northing 3. Zone Easting Northing 2. 4.

Zone Easting Northing Zone Easting Northing _ See continuation sheet Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property on a continuation sheet.) Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundaries were selected on a continuation sheet.) 11. Form Prepared By name/titleKim Brengle, Tremont Preservation Svcs. Preservation Consultant, with Betsy Friedberg, NR Director, MHC organization Massachusetts Historical Commission street& number 220 Morrissey Boulevard city or town Boston stateMassachusetts _date July 1998 _telephone 617-727-8470 _zip code02125-3314 Additional Documentation Submit the following items with the completed form: Continuation Sheets Maps A USGS map (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. A sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources.

Photographs Representative black and white photographs of the property. Additional items (Check with the SHPO or FPO for any additional items) Property Owner (Complete this item at the request of the SHPO or FPO.) name Greater Boston YMCA street & number 316 Huntington Avenue city or town Boston _state MA telephone- 617-927-8125 zip code 02115 Paperwork Reduction Act Statement:This information is being collected for applications to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.).

Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for this form is estimated to average 18.1 hours per response including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the form. Direct comments regarding this burden estimate or any aspect of this form to the Chief, Administrative Services Division, National Park Service, P.0. Box 37127, Washington, DC 20013-7127; and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reductions Project (1024-0018), Washington, DC 20503. NPS Form 10-900-a (8-86) United States Department of the Interior Nationai Park Service National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet Section number _9,10 Page - OMB Approval No. 1024-0018 Boston Young Men's Christian Assn. Boston (Suffolk County), Mass. 9.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Boston Architectural Club Yearbook, 1912 Boston Assessor's Records Boston City Directories Boston Landmarks Commission. "Survey & Planning Grant: Fenway Project Completion Report." Boston: August 31, 1984 Boston Young Men's Christian Association, Annual Reports, 1853-1866, 1878-1884, 1887, 1895, 1899-1924 . Constitution and By-Laws. Boston: 1852 Outlook Scrapbooks, various years beginning 1914 Bromley Insurance Atlases, 1898, 1912, 1917 Building permit, "YMCA, 312 Huntington Avenue," #531, November 18, 1911 (Final Report, January 17, 1914) "Contracts and Specifications for Buildings for Boston Young Men's Christian Association," Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge. Boston: n.d. Doggett, L.L. History of the Young Men's Christian Association. Boston: 1901 Massachusetts Historical Commission. Historic Resources Inventory: Boston. Form No.

253, 1984 Suffolk County Registry of Deeds: Deeds 8 Plans, 3548:576 (June 13, 1911); 3580:284 (October 21, 1911) Whiteside, William B. The Boston Y.M.C.A. and Community Need: A Century's Evolution, 1851-1951. Ph.D. dissertation, Harvard College, 1951 10. GEOGRAPHICAL DATA Verbal Boundary Description: the nominated property is the parcel at 312-320 Huntington Avenue, indicated on the attached Boston Assessor's map. Boundary Justification: the nominated property is the parcel of land historically associated with the building.

(end) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES EVALUATION/RETURN SHEET REQUESTED ACTION: NOMINATION PROPERTY Boston Young Men's Christian Association NAME : MULTIPLE NAME: STATE & COUNTY: MASSACHUSETTS, Suffolk DATE RECEIVED: DATE OF 16TH DAY: DATE OF WEEKLY LIST: 7/24/98 8/19/98 DATE OF PENDING LIST: 8/03/98 DATE OF 45TH DAY: 9/07/98 REFERENCE NUMBER: 98001082 NOMINATOR: STATE REASONS FOR REVIEW: APPEAL: N DATA PROBLEM: N LANDSCAPE: N LESS THAN 50 YEARS: N OTHER: N PDIL: N PERIOD: N PROGRAM UNAPPROVED: N REQUEST: N SAMPLE : N SLR DRAFT: N NATIONAL: N COMMENT WAIVER: N VACCEPT RETURN REJECT 8.20.98DATE ABSTRACT/SUMMARY COMMENTS: Entered in the Natonal Rogistor RECOM.

/CRITERIA REVIEWER TELEPHONE DISCIPLINE DATE DOCUMENTATION see attached comments Y/N see attached SLR Y/N Boston YMCA 312-320 Huntington Avenue Boston, Suffolt Co., MA Poctogaphene Kinulelemont Presevuation Services, 0 BerrSt, Salen, MA.

Date: January, 1998 Viewfacing Southeast Photo #1 of # Boston YMCA 312-320 Huntington Avenue Boston, Suffdk Co, MA Photographer: Kim Brenale Location of negative: Tremont Preservation Services, 10 BarrSt, Salem, Mi Date: January, 1998 View facing "south west Photo #204 Bostan YMCA 312-320 Huntington Avenue Boston, Sufflk Co., MA Photographer: Kim Brenge Locatin of neaative: Tremont Preservation Services, 10 Barr St., Salem, MA 01970 Date: January, 1998 Ceiling of main entry vestibule Photo #3 0f4 YMCA Central Branch BOSTON YOONG MEN'S CHISTIAN ASSOCIATON 312776 HUNTINGTON AUE" BOSTON 320 SUFFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETIS PHOTOGRAPHER: LESLIE LARSON -DATE : 6-30-95 NEGATIVES LESLIE LARSON, 37 BEACON ST.

BOSTON, PHOTO:D ORÉUSON MEMORIAL RECREATONA EZLDRG View facins Mortheast Boston YMCA 312-320 Huntington Avenue, Bostor MA Boston, Suffolk County, MA Photograpler: Kim Brengke Location of negative: Tremont Preservation Services, 10 Barr St, Salem, Date:April, 1998 Main lobby Photo#5045 ENSEPETIY) July 17, 1998 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Ms. Carol Shull Massachusetts Historical Commission National Register of Historic Places Department of the Interior National Park Service Mail Stop 2280, Suite 400 1849 C Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20240 Dear Ms. Shull: Enclosed please find the following nomination for: Y.M.C.A. of Greater Boston, 316 Huntington Avenue, Boston (Suffolk Co.), MA The nomination has been voted eligible by the State Review Board and has been signed by the State Historic Preservation Officer.

The owners of property in the Certified Local Government community of Boston were notified of pending State Review Board consideration less than 60- 120 days before the meeting but have agreed to waive the CLG commenting period. Sincerely, Betay Friedheg Betsy Friedberg, National Register Director Massachusetts Historical Commission CC: Matthew Kiefer, Acting Chair, Boston Landmarks Commission Kim Withers Brengle, Preservation Consultant Leslie Larson, Preservation Consultant Hon. Thomas M. Menino, Mayor, City of Boston Maura FitzPatrick Sklarz, Boston Landmarks Commission William O'Hare, Trinity Financial, 40 Broad Street, Boston 220 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125 - (617) 727-8470 Fax: (617) 727-5128 TDD: 1-800-392-6090 Website: www.magnet.state.ma.us/sec/mhc