Episcopal Theological School, Burnham Hall, 99 Brattle Street, Cambridge

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS MASS,9-CAMB,47-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

An important element of early (for America) planned academic complex, comprising an open-ended quadrangle of three related buildings and a separate chapel. An important work of architects Ware and Van Brunt. PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History: 1. Date of erection: 2. Architect: Ware and Van Brunt (William Robert Ware, Henry Van Brunt, 3. Owners: Land acquired by Episcopal Theological School in 4. Builder: Not known. 5. Original plans and construction: Eastern wing of quadrangle designed by Ware and Van Brunt, 6. Alterations and additions: Changes in rear wing, now apartments General alterations, first floor and basement. No architect given. Contractor: John R. Clark & Associates, Inc. Building Permit B. Historical Context: Building was gift of John Appleton Burnham. 1.

Layout, shape: The gallery joins the building at mid point of the long western side; the wing is rectangular, but the east side has excrescenes and entries that make it irregular. Three stories tall in rear; one story tall for refectory (now reading room). Episcopal Theological School: Burnham Hall (Old Refectory) HABS No. MA-1137 (Page 2) 2. Foundations: Refectory: gray granite blocks, as Lawrence Hall; rear wing, yellow sandstone foundations. 3. Wall construction: Refectory, same as other two buildings; stone, brick, etc. Rear wing is of brick, with only limited stone trim. Gray mortar. 4. Structural system, framing: Solid masonry walls. 5. Porches: Main entrance from arcade; side porch (opposite) is modern.

Extensive rebricking and reworking at corner just to north of this entrance indicates a possible old entrance. Modern entrance to cellar (concrete well) at angle of wing and main body, to northeast. 6. Chimneys: One large stack (three ribs on flat side) for fireplace in refectory corner. 7. Openings: a. Doorways and doors: Three. All are modern doors. b. Windows: Rectangular 6/6 sash; in refectory, however, are leaded glass panes. Round stained glass memorial window in south wall. 8. Roof a. Shape, covering: Gable roof over refectory; gray slate, with light green slates laid in hexagonal pattern in two bands near the apex. Rest of slate rectangular. Gable walls are capped with yellow sandstone. Wing: Also gabled. b.

Cornice: Refectory has frieze zone of light stone, then a projecting Gothic molding above, and copper gutter above that. c. Dormers, towers: North wing has seven dormers, with gable roofs. Three of the dormers have a double window within an arched enframement. Hexagonal slate covering sides of this. Also, one dormer is very small, with three panes and a semi-conical roof. At southwest corner of wing, just over gallery, is a projecting brick bartizan with conical roof, corbeled out support, and one small window. Small iron finial on top. Next to main chimney is a bell tower (or cote) to the west. Red slate pyramidal roof, turned corner posts (woodwork painted cream) with elaborate scroll finial of strap iron.

Both gables of refectory also have iron finials, a central rod with four side scroll brackets. Episcopal Theological School: Burnham Hall (Old Refectory) HABS No. MA-1137 (Page 3) C. Description of Interior: 1. Floor plans: Refectory room is rectangular, about 27' x A hall carries on from entrance arcade through to far side (east) of building and has exit to south, and stairs down to basement to north. Just inside arcade entrance is passage back to rear apartments. 2. Stairways: Down to the basement level is very modern; those to rear apartments also recent, probably 3. Flooring: Covered, or modern. 4. Wall and ceiling finish: In refectory, 4" wainscotting with reeded vertical strips alternating with unreeded one. Plaster walls.

Ceiling of refectory is supported on four pairs of free standing hammer beam trusses (the fifth on the front wall is attached). These have been painted or stained a light brown, including all the iron strapping and bolts. The space of the ceiling (the sloping roof) between trusses is covered with acoustic tiles. 5. Doorways and doors: All are modern. The opening from hall to refectory is about 4" wide. 6. Decorative features and trim: Stained glass window at end (modern) and fireplace. 7. Notable hardware: None. 8. Lighting, type of fixtures: All modern. 9. Heating: A large fireplace in the northeast corner of the refectory has a commemorative plaque in a Romanesque enf ramement in the chimney breast: "This hall was erected / A.D.

MDCCCLXXIX / for the trustees of the / Episcopal Theological School / by / John Appleton Burnham / of Boston." This is all in caps. Over the fireplace proper is the following inscription in Gothic letters: "Oratio mediatio tentatio faeiunt theologum." The fireplace is mainly brick, with a stone lintel on brackets, and stone aedicula above; but the entire fireplace has been painted. D. Site and Surroundings: Orientation forms the eastern wing of the quadrangle and faces south-southwest. Episcopal Theological School: Burnham Hall (Old Refectory) HABS No. MA-1137 (Page 4) PART III. SOURCES OF INFORMATION A. Primary and unpublished sources: Early photographs of Burnham Hall, exterior and interior. Archives, Episcopal Theological School, 99 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Mass.

Records of the Protestant Episcopal Theological School, Archives, Episcopal Theological School. B. Secondary and published sources: American Architect and Building News, Boston, Vol. 4, No. (21 December p. Description, exterior view. Architectural Sketch Book, No. 3 (September plate 11. Drawing of projected complex of buildings. Cambridge Tribune, 9 April Opening of Burnham Hall. Description. Cambridge Tribune, 22 June Drawing of quadrangle. Description of school. Hodges, Rev. George, "The Episcopal Theological School," The Cambridge of Eighteen Hundred and Ninety Six, ed., Arthur Gilman, Cambridge, Mass., pp. Muller, James Arthur, The Episcopal Theological School, Cambridge, Mass., p. 62.

Rettig, Robert Bell, Guide to Cambridge Architecture, Cambridge, Mass., Taylor, Charles L., "The Story of the Episcopal Theological Schooll" Cambridge Historical Society, Publications, Vol. 36 (Proceedings for the Years Cambridge, Mass., pp. Prepared by: Susan E. Maycock and Daniel Reiff June