Recitation Building tower clock, 1909 - 1914
Dates
- Creation: 1909 - 1914
Scope and Contents
The Thomas Ignatius Gasson, SJ, President’s Office records contain general correspondence, construction records, clippings, and personal materials documenting Gasson's administration as the thirteenth president of Boston College. General correspondence primarily documents Boston College’s move to the Chestnut Hill campus from the South End in 1913, and includes letters discussing the acquisition of the property and construction of Boston College buildings. A significant amount of this correspondence is between Gasson and William Henry Cardinal O’Connell, then Archbishop of Boston. Chestnut Hill campus construction records consist mainly of business documents, such as contracts, building specifications, and property assessments, as well as some related correspondence. Many of these documents are from the construction of the Recitation Building, now called Gasson Hall. Materials in this series document contribution drives held to finance the Chestnut Hill building project, including a ledger kept by Gasson describing property costs and listing contributions for the land. Clippings in this collection chronicle the Chestnut Hill move, and also include articles regarding Gasson's stand on contemporary political and social topics, as well as his work in the Catholic community and comments on Catholic issues.
Personal materials comprise articles written by Gasson, a copy of his oration “Women and the Higher Intellectual Life,” as well as information on the Gasson family, a photograph of Gasson, and memorial acknowledgements marking his death. Also included are the records of St. Botolph’s Guild, composed of meeting minutes, the constitution, amendments, and bylaws, a list of members (as of 1909), and address cards of Guild member applicants. The primary objective of the Guild was to raise funds for the expansion of Boston College, so that the physical campus would match the standard of the educational, ethical, and moral integrity of the college and its educators.
Creator
- From the Collection: Boston College. Office of the President (Organization)
- From the Collection: Gasson, Thomas Ignatius, 1859-1930 (Person)
- From the Collection: St. Botolph's Guild (1908-approximately 1913) (Organization)
Language of Materials
Materials in this collection are primarily in English, with some Italian and German.
Restrictions on access
Collection is open for research; portions are also available digitally.
Extent
From the Series: 0.5 Linear Feet (1 container)
Repository Details
Part of the John J. Burns Library Repository
John J. Burns Library
Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill MA 02467 USA
617-552-4861
burns@bc.libanswers.com