“Houses are at the heart of the student experience at Harvard,” said Michael D. Smith, Edgerley Family Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. “The spectacular renewal of Winthrop House represents, both inside and out, a truly 21st-century educational environment where our students will thrive today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.”

John Winthrop House or more commonly referred to as Winthrop House, is one of twelve undergraduate residential Houses at Harvard University. Winthrop House, home to approximately 400 students, consists of two buildings, Standish Hall and Gore Hall. Standish Hall was built in 1912 with funds from the gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, who named the building for her ancestor, Captain Myles Standish, a settler who arrived on the Mayflower.

The work that M&A completed at Standish Hall at Harvard University involved primarily restoration of the wood elements of the façade.

One small jewel of the building, a graceful archtop transom with nineteen panes of glass, was slated for demolition due to serious deterioration: wood rot at the bottom rail, broken curved muntins, and extensive use of caulking from previous repairs on the exterior face of the transom, which had effectively encased the existing muntins in numerous hard-packed layers.  After assessing the relative costs of replication versus repair, it was determined that the best course of action was to preserve the existing sash.  M&A carefully removed the paint and caulk holding the sash together and restored the transom, repairing all of the failed joinery and replicating the missing pieces of muntin.

Another highlight of the project was restoration of the nearly quarter-mile long cornice, an ornate multi-part construction which included delicate carved foot moldings which M&A was able to replicate.

Both east and west wings of the building boast very ornate balconies, complete with plaster finials and huge, carved scroll brackets.  Structural steel and masonry repairs were completed by others, then M&A was able to rebuild the balconies and restore the brackets and finials.  The rebuilding was mainly completed in M&A’s conservation shop, then the balustrades were reassembled for installation on site.

Standish Hall has some very special entrances, with large pediments, columns and pilasters, many of which has suffered extensive water damage.  M&A was able to replicate custom carved and fabricated components and rebuild the entries.  The radius French doors at the Resident Dean’s entry, with transom, sidelights and flanking windows, provided M&A with another restoration challenge.

Finally, M&A was able to assist with some select interior restoration, including the restoration of the main staircase in the Resident Dean’s apartment, which featured carved and turned balusters.

The coordinated efforts of many on this project resulted in the work being completed ahead of schedule.