In this section

• About the Simmons College Archives
  • College Archives Forms
• Collections and Resources
  • College Records
  • Manuscripts Collection
  • Historical Book Collections
  • Charities Collection
  • Notable Women of Simmons College Digital Scrapbook Collection
• Simmons College History
  • A Brief History of Simmons College
  • Presidents of Simmons College
  • Women of Simmons College, 1900-1920
  • Traditions of Simmons College
  • Buildings of Simmons College
  • History of Garland Junior College
• Records Management
  • Storage and Retrieval of Records
  • Records Retention Schedules
  • Electronic Records Guidelines
  • Vital Records Guidelines

Simmons College Archives

The Buildings of Simmons College
The School of Social Work Buildings

At its opening in 1904, the Boston School for Social Workers -- with a staff consisting of the Director of the School, Dr. Jeffrey Brackett, and his assistant, Miss Smith -- occupied two rooms at Nine Hamilton Place, located near the Boston Commons and Massachusetts State House.

Nine Hamilton Place, ca. 1910

By 1912, the profession of Social Work had grown, and the School's program expanded to include a second year of specialization. The Boston School for Social Workers had outgrown its space as well, and moved to 18 Somerset Street, a large remodeled house formerly occupied by the New England Historic Geneological Society. The building, again located near the Boston Commons, contained several large classrooms, offices, and a library. It housed the School of Social Work (as the School was renamed in 1916) for over thirty years.

18 Somerset Street, 1913

In January 1945, President Beatley announced that Simmons College had acquired a new home for the School of Social Work -- a spacious mansion previously owned by Dr. George Monks, a prominent Boston surgeon.

Dr. Monks' widow, Mrs. Olga Gardner Monks, had devoted much energy to the field of medical social work in Boston, and, at her death in 1944, her children saw the donation of her house to Simmons College as a fitting memorial. The house, located at 51 Commonwealth Avenue in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, consisted of four floors, a basement, a garden in the back, and two large magnolia trees facing onto Commonwealth Avenue.

In the Spring of 1962, the School of Social Work doubled its physical facilities at that time by using the building which had housed the Prince School, 49 Commonwealth Avenue, next door to 51 Commonwealth Avenue.The space was used to display student research and organize the library into a central location. As the school continued to grow, both 49 and 51 Commonwealth Avenue housed the library, classrooms, and offices.

49-51 Commonwealth Avenue

51 Commonwealth Avenue

 

In Summer 2002, the School of Social Work moved from its location on Commonwealth Avenue into One Palace Road on the Simmons College main campus.

One Palace Road, 2002.

 

The College Archives is pleased to present this historical survey of the buildings of Simmons College--from the earliest classrooms, and offices in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, through the construction of the Main College Building at 300 The Fenway, the development of the Residence Campus, and recent addiitons of academic buildings and the construction and renovation of a new library.

Join us for a tour of the Buildings of Simmons College

Early Simmons Buildings

The Main College Building

The Main Academic Campus

The Early Residence Campus and Freshman Campus

The Modern Residence Campus

The School of Social Work

The School of Management

 

Please Note: The images and text on the Simmons College Archives web site are made available for study purposes only. They may not be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the Simmons College Archives. For further information, please call 617-521-2440.

Page updated: July 8, 2008