Stony Brook Gatehouse, Historical gatehouse in Back Bay Fens, Boston, United States
The Stony Brook Gatehouse is a water control structure in Back Bay Fens with stone walls bound by red mortar and topped by a slate roof. It manages water flow between Stony Brook and Muddy River to regulate the wetland's water levels.
The structure was designed in 1881 by Henry Hobson Richardson as part of Boston's water management system for its expanding metropolitan area. Richardson was commissioned to create functional works that would also serve as architectural statements.
The building now serves as a visitor hub where people learn about the Emerald Necklace park system and the natural spaces connected throughout Boston. It offers a starting point to understand how the city thinks about its green spaces and waterways.
The site is located at 125 The Fenway, directly across from the Museum of Fine Arts, making it easy to combine visits to both. The building operates during set hours, so it helps to check ahead before walking over.
Richardson employed distinctive stone-cutting techniques and his trademark red mortar in this project, giving the structure its recognizable appearance. These craftsmanship details reveal his personal building style that appears across his other significant works.
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