Boston University Castle

Boston University Castle is a historic building located on the campus of Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. The building was designed by renowned architect Willard T. Sears and constructed in the early 20th century, with its design influenced by the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. The castle has been a prominent landmark on the Charles River and has been featured in various films and television shows, including The Thomas Crown Affair and Fringe. It has also been a popular spot for Boston University students, including Howard Zinn and Elie Wiesel, who have studied and taught at the university.

● History

The history of the building dates back to the early 20th century, when Boston University president William F. Warren commissioned Willard T. Sears to design a new building for the university. The building was constructed between 1913 and 1915 and was originally used as a YMCA building, with funding provided by Phoebe Hearst and William Randolph Hearst. During World War I, the building was used as a Red Cross facility, with Clara Barton and Jane Addams playing a significant role in its operations. In the 1920s, the building became a popular spot for Boston University students, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Ralph Nader, who would often gather in the building's grand hall to discuss politics and social issues.

● Architecture

The architecture of the building is a mix of Gothic Revival and Romanesque Revival styles, with a clock tower and a grand hall featuring a stained glass ceiling. The building's design was influenced by the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge, with Willard T. Sears drawing inspiration from the works of Augustus Welby Pugin and Gilbert Scott. The building's exterior is made of limestone and granite, with a slate roof and a copper dome. The building's interior features a grand hall with a stained glass ceiling, as well as a chapel and a library, with works by William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens.

● Current_use

Today, the building is used for various purposes, including as a Boston University event space, with events such as the Boston University Commencement and the Boston Book Festival being held in the building's grand hall. The building is also home to the Boston University Department of History, with faculty members including Nathaniel Philbrick and Catherine Clinton. The building's chapel is also used for weddings and other ceremonies, with Andrea Bocelli and Yo-Yo Ma having performed in the chapel. Additionally, the building is a popular spot for Boston University students, including student organizations such as the Boston University Student Union and the Boston University Debate Society.

● Notable_features

The building features several notable features, including a clock tower and a grand hall with a stained glass ceiling. The building's chapel is also a notable feature, with a pipe organ and stained glass windows. The building's library is another notable feature, with a collection of rare books and manuscripts, including works by William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. The building is also home to several art galleries, featuring works by Pablo Picasso and Claude Monet. Additionally, the building's grand hall features a portrait of Boston University founder Isaac Rich, as well as a bust of William F. Warren.

● Restoration_efforts

In recent years, the building has undergone several restoration efforts, including a major renovation in the 1980s, with funding provided by The National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Boston Preservation Alliance. The renovation was led by architect Graham Gund, who worked to restore the building's original Gothic Revival and Romanesque Revival features. More recently, the building has undergone additional restoration efforts, including the repair of the clock tower and the restoration of the stained glass ceiling in the grand hall. The restoration efforts have been supported by Boston University alumni, including Howard Zinn and Elie Wiesel, as well as by local organizations such as the Boston Landmarks Commission and the Massachusetts Historical Society.