Circling the Square

On Massachusetts Avenue opposite Dunster Street stands a buff colored gambrel roofed structure known as Wadsworth House. A modest and unobtrusive exterior--obscures the fact that it was once the social and cultural center of Cambridge.

Wadsworth is also one of the University's oldest buildings. A manuscript of President Wadsworth reads: "The President's house to dwell in was raised May 24, 1726. No life was lost, no person hurt in raising it...In ye Evening, those who raised ye House had Supper in Ye Hall; after which we sang ye first stave or staff in ye 127 Psalm."

Thereupon President Wadsworth brought his household goods from the several houses and barns in which they were disposed and set up residence. He was followed by a succession of Harvard presidents until 1861, when the Quincy Street residence was completed.

One brief interlude broke the continuity. On June 26, 1775, the Provincial Congress at Watertown "resolved that the President's house in Cambridge be taken, cleaned, prepared and furnished for the reception of Generals Washington and lee." On July 2 Washington arrived and temporarily set up his headquarters there.

During the siege of Boston, however, a British shell from the Copps Hill batteries landed in the Square near the President's house. The fuse was still burning, and at the risk of his life a Continental soldier ran up and stamped it out. Following this incident it was evidently decided that it was not an eligible residence for the Commander-in-Chief and headquarters were moved to the Craigle House on Brattle Street.

When President Everett moved to the Quincy Street residence Wadsworth House became a student's boarding house. For a time Henry Adams lived in it. It also has housed the treasurer's office and the University printing press. Now, like other buildings which have outlived their original functions, it contains various minor College offices.