Chipman Hall


AKA: Girls' Dormitory
Building #: 40
Campus: East
Architect: Preston
Built: 1892
Square Footage: 10,704ft²
Architectual Style: Queen Anne

Location

42.38915, -71.20584

History

Originally known as the Girls' Dormitory, this structure was built with its identical counterpart, Boys' Home, in 1892. Desperate for additional space, the school sources funds for the construction from the sale of the original school in South Boston. Chipman was able to take in the older girls living in West and began a classification of patient based on age, rather than mental acuity. The floor plan of the boys' and girls' dorms became a model for other residences at Fernald up until 1906. A unique cross-shaped hallway was centrally located, leading off to a dining room and matron's quarters on the first floor, and large airy communal bedrooms on the second floor. The building was later named in honor of Dr. Catherine Chipman, the resident psychologist at Fernald during the 1930s.

Chipman Hall was eventually emptied of patients and used as a can redemption center. These operations were subsequently moved to East Dowling, leaving the Chipman building neglected for many decades. These years of neglect have led to the collapsed the central stairwell and parts of the dormitories.

Architectural Description

Chipman forms the south side of the eastern campus quadrangle, and was designed by Preston. It served as the model for later dormitories, which are subtle variants on its established theme. Like its contemporaries, it is a red brick building with fieldstone foundation and sandstone trim. It rises two stories to an asphalt hip roof. The symmetrical eleven-bay north facade is focused on a projecting three-bay center pavilion that contains an entry with open portico at the first story and a triple arched window above. This is framed by one-bay and three-bay sections, each of which are slightly set back. Windows contain 8/8 sash. Decorative panels separate first- and second-story windows.


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