Mather House

Mather House is one of the twelve residential houses at Harvard University, founded in 1970 and named after Increase Mather and Richard Mather. The house is located at 10 Cowperthwaite Street in Cambridge, Massachusetts, near the Charles River and John F. Kennedy Street. Mather House is known for its unique Brutalist architecture style, which was popular during the 1960s and 1970s, as seen in buildings like the National Theatre (London) and the FBI Academy. The house is also close to other Harvard University buildings, such as the Harvard Art Museums and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.

● History

Mather House was established in 1970, as part of Harvard University's effort to create a more intimate and supportive living environment for its students, similar to the Oxford University and Cambridge University college systems. The house was named after Increase Mather and Richard Mather, two prominent Puritan ministers who played important roles in the early history of Massachusetts Bay Colony and the Salem witch trials. The house's founding was also influenced by the Harvard University's President Nathan Pusey and Dean John Monro, who sought to create a more diverse and inclusive community, as reflected in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Higher Education Act of 1965. Mather House has a strong connection to other Harvard University institutions, such as the Harvard Business School, the John F. Kennedy School of Government, and the Harvard Law School.

● Architecture

Mather House is known for its distinctive Brutalist architecture style, which was designed by the architectural firm Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott. The building's design was influenced by the work of architects such as Le Corbusier and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, and features a unique combination of concrete, brick, and glass, similar to the United Nations Headquarters and the Bauhaus. The house's architecture has been compared to other notable buildings, such as the National Gallery of Art and the Farnsworth House, and has been recognized for its innovative use of materials and design, as seen in the Pritzker Architecture Prize and the AIA Gold Medal. Mather House is also located near other notable buildings, such as the MIT Stata Center and the Boston City Hall.

● Student Life

Mather House is home to a diverse community of students, including undergraduate students and graduate students from a variety of academic backgrounds, such as Harvard College, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. The house offers a range of amenities and activities, including a dining hall, a library, and a fitness center, as well as opportunities for students to engage in community service and leadership development, such as the Harvard University Community Action Partnership and the Phillips Brooks House Association. Mather House is also known for its strong sense of community, with many students participating in house events and traditions, such as the Harvard University Halloween Party and the Yale-Harvard Game. Students at Mather House have access to a range of resources and opportunities, including the Harvard University Career Services, the Harvard University Health Services, and the Harvard University Counseling and Mental Health Services.

● Notable Residents

Mather House has been home to many notable residents, including Nobel laureates such as Amartya Sen and Eric Maskin, as well as Pulitzer Prize winners like Nicholas Kristof and Sarah Kendzior. The house has also been home to prominent figures in politics, such as Barney Frank and Deval Patrick, as well as business leaders like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, who have spoken at Harvard University events, such as the Harvard Business School's Cyberposium and the Harvard Law School's Traphagen Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series. Mather House residents have also gone on to become leaders in academia, including Harvard University professors like Lawrence Lessig and Dani Rodrik, and have been recognized for their achievements with awards such as the MacArthur Fellowship and the Guggenheim Fellowship.

● Controversies

Mather House has been involved in several controversies over the years, including debates over diversity and inclusion and social justice, such as the Harvard University diversity and inclusion initiative and the Black Lives Matter movement. The house has also been the site of protests and demonstrations, including those related to climate change and economic inequality, such as the Occupy Harvard movement and the Harvard University fossil fuel divestment campaign. In addition, Mather House has faced challenges related to mental health and wellness, including the Harvard University mental health initiative and the National Alliance on Mental Illness campaign, and has worked to address these issues through partnerships with organizations like the World Health Organization and the American Psychological Association. Despite these challenges, Mather House remains a vibrant and supportive community, with a strong commitment to social responsibility and community engagement, as reflected in the Harvard University Community Compact and the Cambridge Community Foundation.