Fresh Pond Hotel

Fresh Pond Hotel is a three-story wooden building featuring Federal and Greek Revival architectural details. The structure now stands on Lakeview Avenue and retains the characteristic design from its original period.

Jacob Wyeth, a Harvard graduate from 1792, built this hotel in 1796 as a summer retreat near Fresh Pond. The operation later passed to his successors while the building itself was moved to its current location in 1892.

The building shows how religious communities in the 1800s adapted existing structures for new purposes. Its transformation from a hotel to a convent reflects broader changes in how Cambridge residents and institutions used their spaces.

The building sits in an urban neighborhood and is visible from the street. It is worth viewing the architectural details from different angles to fully appreciate the blend of design styles.

The building was relocated from its original Fresh Pond location to Lakeview Avenue in 1892, a remarkable feat of 19th-century engineering. This move allowed the historic structure to survive and find new purposes.

Location: Cambridge

Official opening: 1796

Architectural style: Federal architecture, Greek Revival architecture

Address: 234 Lakeview Avenue

GPS coordinates: 42.38292,-71.14103

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:08