Historical Materials
Administration Building
View of Fernald's Administration Building from the main boulevard. This structure was opened in 1936 to replace the school's original administration building, Waverley Hall.
Annual Reports
Fernald State School Annual Reports, 1848-1941, 1951-1973 (zip archive, approx. 440MB).
Boys' Dormitory Dining Room
A view of the dining room in the Boys' Dormitory (later known as the Activity Center) in 1903, contrasted with the same angle 116 years later.
Boys' Dormitory Entrance
Entrance to the Boys' Dormitory building, erected in 1891 for the young boys at the institution. The able-bodied children living here were used as free manual labor for the institution, digging foundations, pave roads and work the school's farm.
Boys' Workshop - Brush Making
The boys' workshop, located on the eastern side of the School Building, taken circa 1903. The students are learning how to make brushes. These activities were likely moved into the Manual Training Building when it was built in 1907.
Campus Map
This campus map shows the most important contributing building that were present circa 2009. Note that the building numbers may not coincide with those in our survey due to discrepancies between historical numbers, contemporary labels, and DCAMM assignments.
DMH Building Map
A map of the campus published by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Mental Health (DMH) circa 1982.
Dolan Hall
View of Dolan Hall, a residence for girls built in 1906. Originally called "New North West Building," it was later named after Mrs. Dolan, a longtime matron of the building.
Drive to West Building
View of the drive up to the original "asylum," later known as the West Building. Several additions to the structure can be seen, including porches and fire escape stairwells.
East Dowling
View of East Dowling building, built in 1906 as a dormitory for boys.
East Nurses Home
View of the East Nurses' Home, built in 1905 as a dormitory for employees at the Fernald Center. It was constructed in a similar fashion to the three other nurses' homes at the institution.
Education of the Feeble-Minded
"The Education of the Feeble-Minded" by Kate Gannett Wells, New England Magazine, March edition, 1900 (excerpt). This article sheds light on daily activities at the school, photographs and insight into the public's view of this new kind of institution at the time.
First Floor Classroom
A classroom inside Fernald's School Building, first floor, taken circa 1903. The girls are learning how to weave fabric.
Graduation of the “Waivered LPN Class,” 1954
The graduation of the 'waivered LPN Class' circa 1954 in front of Fernald's theater building, Howe Hall. Pictured: Grace Estelle Bagley (top row, 2nd from left) and Dr. Malcolm Farrell, superintendent (front row, wearing suit).
History of the Treatment of the Feeble-Minded
History of the Treatment of the Feeble-Minded, by Walter E. Fernald, 4th ed. 1912 (PDF).
MacDougall Hall
View of MacDougall Hall, seen from the lawn that was later used as a playground. The building opened in 1898 as a dormitory for middle-aged girls at the institution. Originally known as Northwest Building, it was later named after Sarah MacDougall.
Manual Training, South Side
View of the Manual Training Building, southern elevation. This structure was built in 1907 to help residents improve motor skills and learn new trades that could be useful both inside and outside the institution.
National Register of Historic Places Form
National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for the Waltham property (PDF format, 57 pages).
North Building and Boys' Home
View of the North Building and the Boys' Home from Fernald's central drive. The Boys' Home was used as a dormitory for young men and the North Building housed adult and elderly men. The former was demolished and replaced by the modern Withington Building
Recordation Map
A labeled map using aerial photography composites for the recordation team.