Athenaeum Press, imprint of Ginn and Company
The Athenaeum Press is a large factory building made of brick and glass in Cambridge, Massachusetts, completed in 1895 by architects Lockwood, Greene, and Company. The structure features Greek-inspired design with columns and interior details like Guastavino tile vaults, while a prominent statue of Athena sculpted by Adio diBiccari sits atop the building.
Built in 1895 for Edwin Ginn and his printing company Ginn & Company, it was the third major printing house in Cambridge and one of the first large industrial sites along the Charles River. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, recognizing its importance in the city's industrial and publishing heritage.
The name refers to Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom, reflecting the connection between learning and craftsmanship that the building represents. The visible statue of Athena on the roof emphasizes this link and shows how the site honored intellectual work alongside industrial labor.
The building sits on a large block bounded by First Street, Second Street, Atheneum Street, and Linskey Way, making it easily visible from the nearby Charles River and Longfellow Bridge. It is readily accessible from various parts of Cambridge, and visitors can view the exterior architecture and the statue of Athena from public areas without restrictions.
The building was designed to resemble an ancient Greek temple but constructed with modern industrial materials like copper and glass, blending classical aesthetics with factory function. This unusual combination of ornate architectural style and utilitarian purpose makes it a rare example of how manufacturers valued both beauty and efficiency in late 1800s industrial design.
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