The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon. After experiencing the Marathon-to-Athens Race in the 1896 Olympic Games, John Graham, coach and manager of the Boston Athletic Association, returned with plans to institute a similar long-distance run. After considering various routes, a 24.5 route from Metcalf’s Mill in Ashland to Irvington Oval in Boston was selected for the first Boston Marathon in 1897. In 1924, the course was lengthened to 26.2 miles to conform to the Olympic standard, moving the starting line to Hopkinton and the finish line to Boylston Street in Boston. A continuing celebration of everything that can be accomplished through determination and resilience, today the marathon brings together over 32,500 runners from 125 countries. 9,500 volunteers work both behind the scenes and along the route to make sure that race day is a success, including several of our own Bulfinches.

Ashland Station, Boston & Albany Railroad

Aiming to establish a western connection from Albany, NY, the Boston & Albany Railroad undertook a major program of capital investment and improvements from 1881 to 1894, including the construction of over 30 new passenger stations. H.H. Richardson was selected to be the architect; his design of the stations were variations on a simple theme – small rectangular stone blocks with overhanging roofs providing sheltered waiting space.

Richardson completed nine stations before his death in 1886, when his proteges, Shepley, Rutan, and Coolidge stepped up to carry on his legacy. The successor firm designed an additional twenty-three railroad stations for the Boston & Albany Railroad, including the 1887 design of Ashland Station. The station’s large granite block structure and hip roof overhanging the perimeter walkway are a continuation of Richardson’s approach and provide consistency of character and quality throughout the rail system.

In 2002, a new Ashland Station was opened along the relocated commuter line and the original 1887 Ashland Station was repurposed, currently serving as a doctor’s office. While the building serves a new function, much of the original 1887 exterior design remains preserved.

Framingham Station, Boston & Albany Railroad

One of Richardson’s final designs, Framingham Station was completed in 1885. One of the nine stations he designed, the building’s dominant roofline, arched bow window, wooden interiors, and a strong horizontal emphasis, form an example of Richardson Romanesque architecture being applied to his simple theme for the stations. Unlink other stations, Framingham’s design boasted a large central fireplace, a modest dining area with a crown glass bay window, and carved sandstone lion’s heads inside and out.

In 2001, a new Framingham Station was opened along the relocated commuter line and the historic station has been repurposed as a restaurant. While its use has changed, the original 1885 design remains largely intact and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Wellesley College Clapp Library

Shepley Bulfinch has enjoyed a strong partnership with Wellesley College and has helped to shape the historic Clapp Library through multiple phases of design and renovation. In 1909, Shepley Rutan and Coolidge designed the original library in the American Renaissance style, featuring classical elements and robust masonry. Constructed with brick and trim, the library conveyed solidarity and elegance, with an interior that supported zoned functions.

As the college grew, the library needed expansion as well. In 1959, Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott designed a new wing to modernize the facilities and increase capacity. The design incorporated contemporary architectural elements while maintaining harmony within the original structure.

In 1977, Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott returned to lead the design of further expansions of Clapp Library, including seamlessly integrating another new wing.

Our relationship with Wellesley College continues into the 21st century, as Clapp Library’s undergoes renovations to align with the campus’s climate response plan, reducing carbon output and improving energy efficiency.

Wellesley College McAfee Hall Dormitory

Designed in 1961 by Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, McAfee Hall expands Wellesley’s growing residential community. All three dormitories are physically interconnected, creating a cohesive residential complex. McAfee Hall follows a similar modernist style – emphasizing clean lines, functional layouts, and simplicity – while fostering student connection. While the building appears to be a wholly mid-century modern design from the outside, the interiors embrace more traditional looks, including a living room designed around a fifteenth century French Gothic stone mantel and an Austrian Gothic ceiling.

Today, McAfee Hall continues to serve as an important residential space at Wellesley College.

Dana Hall School Shipley Science Center and Cooke Library Building

In 1998, Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott designed the science and library facility at Dana Hall School. The design centralized the Dana Hall campus and connects to the existing Classroom Building via an underground corridor, seamlessly transitioning between key campus locations. The Science Center was designed with state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms designed to support advanced science education and hands-on learning, incorporating spaces such as laboratories, classrooms, greenhouses, and an auditorium. 

The library was conceived as a central hub for student learning and collaboration. It incorporated modern computer stations and digital tools, giving students revolutionary access to a wide range of books and online resources. With comfortable spaces for both individual study and group work, the facility supports diverse learning styles and fostering academic engagement. 

Today these facilities continue to serve as a central hub for student learning and collaboration. 

Newton Highlands Station, Boston and Albany Railroad

Designed in 1886 by Shepley Rutan and Coolidge, the Newton Highlands Station highlights the firm’s continuation of Richardson’s architectural legacy. Inspired by the Richardson Romanesque style, the building features a robust granite construction, a steeply pitched hipped roof, wide overhanging eaves, and rounded arches – hallmarks of the style’s bold, rustic character and horizonal emphasis.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976, the Newton Highlands Station is a part of the Newton Railroads Historic District.

Today, Newtown Highlands Station retains much of its original architectural integrity and has been repurposed for commercial use. While not technically a passenger waiting area, the eaves still provide shelter for those waiting at the modern station.

First Congregational Church of Newton

In 1904, Shepley Rutan and Coolidge designed the First Congregational Church of Newton – the sixth and final meeting house built for a congregation founded in 1660. The design evokes the character of a traditional English village church, utilizing a Roman Cross floorplan, a common feature in the design of Romanesque churches. The church is constructed from Quincy granite, stone of historical importance not only to the region, but across America. 

Today, the First Congregational Church of Newton continues to be used by the Greek Evangelical Church of Boston.

Immanuel Baptist Church, Newton, MA

The Immanuel Baptist Church was designed by Richardson in 1885. Another prime example of Richardson Romanesque design, it features ornate stonework, intricate carvings, and stained-glass windows, creating an atmosphere of grandeur and reverence. The design emphasizes a spacious nave and a central aisle leading to the alter, fostering a strong connection between the congregation and the sacred space. 

Today, Immanuel Baptist Church in Newton remains an active place of worship and community gathering.

Boston College Higgins Hall

Shepley Bulfinch’s design for the 2006 expansion and renovation of Higgins Hall at Boston College transformed the building into a modern science facility while matching the character, scale, and detail of the collegiate gothic campus. The design transformed the space into a dynamic and collaborative academic hub for the campus, increasing program size and integrating resources for the Biology and Physics Departments. A new spatial organization model was developed to create a science facility that unifies the previously isolated departments. Uniting the addition with the existing building, a light-filled five-level atrium offers casual gathering spaces for faculty, students, and staff.

The design added new laboratory spaces, classrooms, and offices to support the college’s expanding science programs. Emphasizing collaboration and flexibility, the design incorporated state-of-the-art facilities and sustainable principles.

25 Cottage Street

Designed and built by Ned Hooper, a classmate of Richardson at Harvard, Richardson rented the home in 1874, turning the first floor into his office and library. It was here that the firm was born. During his time at Cottage Street, Richardson made several changes to the house, including an addition that became workstations for his draftsmen, which they referred to as “the Coops.” The building became a central hub for Richardson’s work and life, contributing to his legacy as one of America’s most influential architects. 

After Richardson’s death, his widow, Julia Gorham Hayden, purchased the home, and it remained in the family until 1999. After a period of neglect, the building was recently restored and renovated. 

George Wightman Mansion

Designed in 1902 by Shepley Rutan and Coolidge for steel magnate George Henry Wightman, the mansion features a symmetrical façade, grand scale, and classical elements, making it a prime example of early 20th-century Beaux-Arts residential architecture.

After Wightman’s death in 1937, the mansion was sold, becoming home to Hebrew College. When the college relocated to Newton in 2002, the building was acquired by Wheelock College. In 2003, Shepley Bulfinch revitalized the historic structure to meet the evolving needs of Wheelock College. The renovation unified the original design with a 1962 addition, creating a cohesive architectural language inside and out. The modernized facility became a vibrant academic and social center, featuring a cafe, seminar rooms, faculty and administrative offices, and a two-story multi-purpose room. The central hall and stairwell is defined by a beautiful stained-glass skylight.

Following Wheelock’s merger with Boston University in 2018, the Wightman House was repurposed as an event and conference venue, now managed by Boston University.

Brookline Courthouse

In 1941, Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott designed the Brookline Courthouse. The building, designed in a late Colonial Revival style, features a red brick facade and a wooden cupola inspired by Harvard Hall in Cambridge. The front of the courthouse is marked by three monumental arches, drawing inspiration from Charles Bulfinch’s Lancaster Meetinghouse.

Today, the courthouse continues to serve as a vital civic building in Brookline Village.

Brookline Public Library Coolidge Corner Branch

Completed in 1956, Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott’s design for the Brookline Public Library Coolidge Corner Branch is a strong example of mid-century library architecture. The design prioritized functionality and community engagement, while incorporating modernist elements such as clean lines, expansive windows that maximize natural light, and an open interior layout. A new library had been planned since as early as 1946; the design solved for issues identified by residents such as a lack of accessibility, space, and exhibition areas.

Today, the Coolidge Corner Branch remains an essential resource for Brookline residents.

Trinity Church – 1877

An iconic Boston landmark, Trinity Church established the Richardson Romanesque style of architecture, a distinctive interpretation of French and Spanish Romanesque styles. Completed in 1877, the building was immediately regarded as a landmark. In an 1885 poll of American Architect and Building News, now a part of Architectural Record, readers declared it the finest building in the United States. Designed in the form of a Greek cross with a central tower, the building is constructed of four types of local granite resting on a base of 4,000 wood piles, driven into the watery soil of the Back Bay. The interiors are designed as “a color church,” incorporating expansive stained-glass windows and murals. The original design also includes a parish house and a sanctuary.

Like a living being, the building has evolved in its 147 years. The West Porch, added by the firm in 1897, is based on Richardson’s sketches. This addition transformed the church’s entryway from a relatively plain exterior to an elaborate arcade. Featuring stone sculptures and friezes of significant figures and scenes from the Old and New Testaments, the porch is a visually striking and distinctive element of the Church.

Shepley Rutan and Coolidge returned to Trinity Church again in 1914, designing a massive, intricately carved pulpit and accompanying sounding board. These were dedicated as a memorial to Robert Treat Paine, chairman of the original building committee, by his children.

Boston Public Library

The Boston Public Library was chartered in 1848, serving the country’s first urban, municipally funded, free public library. The current design for the Central Branch opened in 1895, designed by McKim, Mead, and White. Part of a history of notable architects in Shepley Bulfinch’s lineage, Charles Follen McKim and Stanford White were draftsmen with H.H. Richardson in the firm’s early years, 1874-1877.

Beginning in 1984, the firm of Shepley Bulfinch restored and renovated the historic building in phases, adapting the 1895 structure to accommodate contemporary technologies, standards, and uses. The firm’s work began with the restoration of the Bates Reading Room and has continued with the restoration of the Sargent Gallery to recent master planning efforts to enhance accessibility, sustainability, and engagement with the library’s collections.