BY CAROLINE BUNNELL
Photo Credit: Stonehill Archives
Dating back to the founding of the college on June 20, 1948, the Georgian style buildings are a staple throughout Stonehill’s 387-acre campus.
Each of these buildings were named after a prominent figure in the college’s rich 75 year history.
The first of its kind is currently known as Donahue Hall that sits atop the hill overlooking the academic hub of the campus. Before its naming and current use as administrative offices, it was the summer home of Frederick Lothrop Ames, the clerk for the Ames Shovel company.
Ames and his wife moved into the newly built home in 1905. The home was initially named the “Stone House Hill House” and had a variety of amenities including swimming pool, tennis court, and a conservatory.
After the unexpected death of Frederick Ames and his son, his wife, Edith Cutler, remarried and decided to sell the estate.
The Congregation of the Holy Cross bought the home, nearby buildings, and the 350 surrounding acres in October of 1935. The remaining 190 acres were later purchased two years later.
After students began enrolling in the college, they soon named the building on the hill the “Big House”. Nearly 30 years after the college acquired the building, it was obtained its current name of Donahue Hall after the Superior General of the Congregation in 1935, Rev. James Wesley Donahue, C.S.C. He initially authorized the sale of the Ames estate and founded the congregation in the east side of the United States.
A year after the college's founding, the first academic building opened on top of the hill and was simply known as the Science Building. In 1974, the building was given the name the Tracy Science Building, and later the Merkert-Tracy building after Stonehill advisor and trustee, David Tracy, and the son of a benefactor, James A. Merkert.
Around nine years after the college opened, the landscape expanded to lower campus with the creation of Holy Cross Hall in 1957. The building was expanded in 1963, then again in 1969. It was named Duffy Academic Center after Rev. Thomas C. Duffy C.S.C. Rev. Duffy, who founded the Century Club, which aims to raise money for the college. He was also the first director of development.
In 1962, the first iteration of the library was built. The building known as Cushing-Martin was named after the Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Richard Cushing, and Congressman Joseph W. Martin Jr. Congressman Martin agreed to donate the papers from his political career to Stonehill, according to the Stonehill archives.
As the desire for residential space grew, Cardinal O’Hara Hall opened as a male only dorm in 1961. The name derived from the Archbishop of Philadelphia; Cardinal John C. O’Hara C.S.C. Boland Hall later opened as a female dorm in 1967. This building got its name from Rev. Francis Boland C.S.C. who served as president starting in 1949 until 1955. Boland acted as a female only dorm because women were first allowed to attend the college during his presidency. Rev. Boland also was the first priest to be buried on campus near the Washington Street entrance.
Another notable building that dawned the shovel-making family’s name was the Sally Blair Ames Sports Complex which was built in 1988. The name was given to the building after the granddaughter of Frederick Lothrop Ames.
In 1998, Cushing-Martin was no longer used as the library as a new structure was completed in honor of a former president. The MacPhaidin Library honored the college’s eighth president who served in the role for 22 years.
Photo Credit: Stonehill Archives
Rev. Bartley MacPhaidin C.S.C. was was also a 1959 Stonehill graduate and the first alumnus to be named president. Prior to his presidency, he taught religious studies at Stonehill. His time as president was financially productive and raised endowment from $3 million to $80 million.
During MacPhaidin’s presidency, 20 new buildings were added to the landscape of campus. This included Villa Theresa, Notre Dame Du Lac and the Pilgrim Heights. One of the cape-style buildings in the Pilgrim Heights was named after the first president of the college. Rev. George P. Benaglia C.S.C. served as president from 1948-1949. Benaglia Hall now presents the name of the former president and serves as sophomore and junior housing.
As the college continued developing, more programs were added requiring more buildings. In 2009 the Thomas and Mary Shields Center opened after a $7 million surprise donation. The Shields family were longtime benefactors of the college and have been involved in the Stonehill community since the 1980’s according to The Patriot Ledger. Tom and Mary Shields also sponsor a scholarship that benefits students every year. Tom Shields was once the chairman of the Board of Trustees. Their legacy is carried on through the building and their son, Thomas, who graduated from Stonehill in 1992 and is the CEO of Shields MRI and a current college trustee.
Another recent building has a rich history with a Stonehill alumnus. The Thomas and Donna May Hall of Arts and Sciences opened in 2018. The building is home to the humanities programs, as well the Admissions Welcome Center. Thomas J. May was a 1969 Stonehill graduate and was given the 1999 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award. He is an active member of the College’s President’s Council and a trustee since 1993.
Upon graduating with a business degree from Stonehill, May became one of the most successful Boston-based leaders in business.
In the buildings dedication ceremony in 2018, Stonehill president, Fr. John Denning, C.S.C, highlight Tom and Donna May’s commitment to the Stonehill community since their graduation.
“Since Tom and Donna graduated from Stonehill, they have consistently given back to the College through their service, leadership, and contributions to scholarships, academic initiatives, and building projects,” Denning said.
The most recent building opened in 2019 thanks to a $10 million donation from 1975 Stonehill graduate, Leo J. Meehan. Meehan is currently the CEO of W.B. Mason which has continuously supported Stonehill by donating office supplies and funds to the improvement of the college. W.B. Mason Stadium was also given the name in 2005 after a $1.5 million donation from Meehan.
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