Ballou Hall

Ballou Hall is a red brick building in Italianate style located on the Tufts University campus in Medford and stands out for its distinctive appearance. The structure features a Roman Ionic portico entrance, sandstone trim details, and six paneled chimneys topped by a slate roof.

The building was constructed in 1854 as the first academic structure on the university campus and designed by Boston architect Gridley J.F. Bryant. Its architect left traces in university documents that later confirmed his involvement in the project.

The building once served as a gathering place for the early university community with chapel and residential spaces. Today it represents the administrative heart of the institution and shows how a single structure adapted to meet changing institutional needs.

The building is located on Boston Avenue within an active university campus that is easy to explore on foot. Keep in mind this is a working administrative building, so it is best viewed from the exterior and its surroundings.

The exact authorship of the building remained a mystery for years until Bryant's signature was discovered in a university legal document. This architectural detective work shows how carefully old records can reveal hidden details.

Location: Medford

Architectural style: Italianate architecture

Part of: Tufts University

GPS coordinates: 42.40760,-71.12033

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:41