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Hartwell and Richardson

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article Hartwell and Richardson, available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 30 November 2025
Hartwell and Richardson
Company typeArchitectural firm
IndustryArchitecture
Founded1881
FounderHenry Walker Hartwell, William Cummings Richardson
Headquarters
Boston, Massachusetts
,
United States
Area served
Greater Boston area
ProductsEcclesiastical, civic buildings, schools, residences

Hartwell and Richardson was an architectural practice based in Boston, Massachusetts, established in 1881 by Henry Walker Hartwell (1833–1919) and William Cummings Richardson (1854–1935). The firm played a pivotal role in shaping the architectural landscape of the greater Boston area, with numerous projects recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

History

Henry Walker Hartwell, son of the Boston artist Alonzo Hartwell, trained under architects Joseph E. and Hammatt Billings (known as Billings & Billings). He launched his own practice in 1856 and was among the founding members of the Boston Society of Architects. Following his Civil War service, he partnered with Albert E. Swasey, Jr. until 1877, briefly worked alongside George Thomas Tilden, and subsequently joined forces with Richardson.

William Cummings Richardson, who was about twenty years Hartwell’s junior, pursued architectural studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earned the Boston Society of Architects' award for best young architect in 1875. Within their collaboration, Richardson took lead design responsibilities while Hartwell concentrated on engineering and construction supervision.

The firm initially catered to affluent clients, focusing predominantly on ecclesiastical and civic structures. Early significant works attributed largely to Hartwell include the First Baptist Church (1881) in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Belmont Town Hall (1881). Richardson brought a vibrant use of polychrome to designs such as Christ Church (1882) in Andover and Boston’s First Spiritual Temple (1885). His restrained yet intricate approach extended to Queen Anne and Shingle-Style residences, especially those found in Cambridge's Avon Hill neighborhood.

Their most impressive residential commission is "Osgood Hill" (1886), the Moses T. Stevens estate located in North Andover. This Romanesque-Revival mansion and accompanying gatehouse drew inspiration from H. H. Richardson’s work and currently functions as a venue for weddings and conferences.

Two churches exemplify Richardson’s stylistic versatility: the relaxed Shingle-Style Broadway Winter Hill Congregational Church (1890) in Somerville contrasts with the more formal Romanesque-Revival Central Congregational Church (1895) in Newton.

In 1895, English architect James Driver joined the partnership, prompting a rebranding to Hartwell, Richardson and Driver. After Driver retired in 1921, the firm reverted to its original name, continuing operations until Richardson’s passing in 1935.

During the twentieth century, their focus transitioned toward designing public schools alongside occasional commercial projects; many former high school buildings have since been repurposed into residential accommodations.

Both Hartwell and Richardson were honored as Fellows of the American Institute of Architects, with Driver also holding membership in the AIA.

Churches

  • First Baptist Church (1881), Cambridge, Massachusetts. Included on NRHP.
  • Christ Church (1882), 29 Central Street, Andover, Massachusetts. Part of the Central Street District.
  • First Spiritual Temple (1885), 26 Exeter Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Subsequently known as Exeter Street Theatre.
  • Broadway Winter Hill Congregational Church (1890), Somerville, Massachusetts. NRHP-listed.
  • First Parish Congregational Church (1890; rebuilt post-1912 fire), Wakefield, Massachusetts.
  • First Unitarian Church (1893), Belmont, Massachusetts.
  • Central Congregational Church (1895), Newton, Massachusetts. Listed on NRHP.
  • First Parish Church in Plymouth (1897–99), Plymouth, Massachusetts; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver.
  • Rockdale Congregational Church (1898–99), Northbridge, Massachusetts; by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver.
  • First Unitarian Church (1875–99), Somerville, Massachusetts.

Schools and libraries

  • Medford High School (1884–86), located in Medford, Massachusetts. This building is listed on the NRHP and currently serves as the Old Medford High Condominiums.
  • Draper Hall Dormitory (1888–90) at Abbot Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. Abbot Academy later merged with Phillips Academy.
  • State Normal Art School (1889, since demolished) in Boston, Massachusetts, where Hartwell and Richardson maintained offices.
  • Acton Memorial Library (1889–91) in Acton, Massachusetts, included within the Acton Centre Historic District.
  • Hancock School (1891) in Lexington, Massachusetts. Recognized on the NRHP and now repurposed as Hancock Condominiums.
  • Arlington High School (1893–94) situated in Arlington, Massachusetts, currently functioning as the Arlington Senior Center.
  • Intermediate Building (1894) in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. Listed on the NRHP and transformed into Phillips Park Apartments for senior residents.
  • Hyde School (1895) located in Newton Highlands; converted into condominiums following a fire in 1981.
  • Somerville High School (1895-2021) in Somerville, Massachusetts; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver. This structure is NRHP-listed.
  • State Normal School (1898), now demolished, formerly in New Haven, Connecticut; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver.
  • Springfield Central High School (1898) in Springfield, Massachusetts; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver. Presently known as Classical Condominiums.
  • Newton North High School (1898–99), once located in Newtonville, Massachusetts; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver. Demolished in 1973.
  • Trenton Central High School (1899–1900) in Trenton, New Jersey; created by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver.
  • Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (1900), Cambridge, Massachusetts; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver. Demolished in 1980.
  • Dorchester Latin High School (1900) situated in Boston, Massachusetts; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver. The addition completed in 1910 was also their work. Now operates as Latin Academy Apartments.
  • McKeen Memorial Hall (1903–04), part of Abbot Academy in Andover; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver.
  • Manchester High School (1904) located in Manchester, Connecticut; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver. Currently serves as Bennet Apartments for seniors.
  • Leominster Public Library (1906–10) in Leominster, Massachusetts; a Carnegie library designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver.
  • Killingly High School (1908) in Killingly, Connecticut; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver and listed on the NRHP.
  • Laundry building at Abbot Academy (1913–14), Andover; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver.
  • Oakdale Elementary School situated in Dedham, Massachusetts.

Institutional buildings

  • Belmont Town Hall (1881), located in Belmont, Massachusetts. It forms part of the Pleasant Street Historic District.
  • Odd Fellows Hall (1884), Cambridge, Massachusetts. This building is listed on the NRHP.
  • Ware Town Hall (1885), Ware, Massachusetts; recognized on the NRHP.
  • Westfield Municipal Building (1889–92), Westfield, Massachusetts; included on the NRHP list.
  • Andover National Bank (1890), situated at 23 Main Street in Andover, Massachusetts. Listed on the NRHP.
  • Newton Club built in 1891 at Newtonville, Massachusetts.
  • Masonic Building constructed in 1891 at Dover, New Hampshire; destroyed by fire in 1906.
  • New England Shoe and Leather Association Building (1891), formerly at 166 Essex Street, Boston, Massachusetts; since demolished.
  • Youth's Companion Building (1892), located at 209 Columbus Avenue in Boston. This building is NRHP-listed.
  • Dedham Institution for Savings (1892), found at 601-603 High Street in Dedham, Massachusetts.
  • Newton-Wellesley Hospital (1894), located at 2014 Washington Street in Newton. This building is on the NRHP register.
  • The Refectory constructed in 1895 on Refectory Hill within Franklin Park, Boston.
  • Taylor Building erected in 1895 at Essex and Columbia Streets in Boston.
  • YMCA facility built in 1896 at 820 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver.
  • Masonic Building constructed in 1896 at Newton; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver and listed on the NRHP.
  • Carney Building built between 1902 and 1904 at 39-43 Tremont Street in Boston; since demolished. Designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver.
  • Waltham Savings Bank erected in 1905 at Waltham, Massachusetts; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver.
  • Company F State Armory constructed in 1909 at Waltham; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver and listed on the NRHP.

Residences

  • Modifications to Lyman Estate (1882–83), located in Waltham, Massachusetts.
  • "Seven Gables," also known as the Francis Henry Hastings House (1885), situated at 190 North Avenue, Weston, Massachusetts. Exhibits Shingle-Style architecture. Recognized as a contributing building within the Kendal Green Historic District.
  • Henry O. Underwood House (1885), found at 100 Common Street, Belmont, Massachusetts. Designed in Shingle-Style.
  • "Osgood Hill," the Moses T. Stevens House (1886), positioned at 723 Osgood Street, North Andover, Massachusetts. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
  • Within the Avon Hill Historic District:
    • 33 Washington Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts, featuring Shingle-Style design.
    • Stillman F. Kelley House (1887), located at 49 Washington Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
    • Yerxa-Field House (1887–88), at 37 Lancaster Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts; constructed in Shingle-Style.
    • David Ritchie House (1889), situated at 26 Washington Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
  • Properties in the Pill Hill Historic District include:
    • Ernest Bowditch House, 446 Walnut Street, Brookline, Massachusetts; Shingle-Style architecture.
    • 62 Upland Road (1890), Brookline, Massachusetts; Shingle-Style residence.
    • 107 Upland Road (1892), Brookline, Massachusetts.
  • Dr. W. B. Parker House (1886–88; later altered), located at 248 Marlborough Street, Boston, Massachusetts. Originally featured twin front entrances—one granting access to Dr. Parker’s home and the other to his dental office; the right entrance has since been sealed off with brickwork.
  • J. A. Wood House (1888), at 3 Sacramento Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Shingle-Style and NRHP-listed property.
  • Thomas E. Proctor House (1893), found at 273 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts; a four-story Neoclassical townhouse with double frontage typical of urban settings.
  • Isaac McLean House (1894), located at 2218 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts; listed on the NRHP and presently operating as A Cambridge House Inn.
  • Silas Peavy House (1905), situated at 300 Kent Street, Brookline, Massachusetts; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver.
  • Charles Phelps House (1905), positioned at 1 Ellington Avenue, Rockville, Connecticut; created by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver.
  • Charles Winship House (1907), located at 13 Mansion Road, Wakefield, Massachusetts; designed by Hartwell, Richardson & Driver with interiors crafted by A. H. Davenport and Company. This residence is also NRHP-listed.

Sources

  • "Hartwell & Richardson," featured in The Grove Encyclopedia of American Art, Volume 1 (Oxford University Press, 2011), page 464.[1]
  • Susan Maycock Vogel’s article "Hartwell and Richardson: An Introduction to Their Work," published in Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, Vol. 32, No. 2 (May 1973), pages 132–146.[2]

External links

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