History

The South Nurses Home was the last and most elaborate of the four such residences erected within a few years of each other (North, 1904; East, 1906; West, 1906). As its name implies, it was built in the far south-eastern section of the campus in close proximity to Stephen Bowen Hall (then the Infirmary building). The building was renovated to be used for Fernald residents and outfitted with a concrete access ramp. It was last used as offices for Middlesex County Law Enforcement.

Architectural Description

The South Nurses Home is a two-story, red-brick building rising from a fieldstone foundation to an asphalt hip roof. Entries, recessed within round arched Romanesque Revival-style openings, are located on both main elevations (north and west) of this L-plan building. Windows contain new 1/1 sash. Like the buildings from the 1890s, and the other nurses' homes, it is further trimmed with sandstone sills and lintels, and burnt header beltcourses and watertable. Preston was the architect. A concrete access ramp has been added to the west facade. The interior has been heavily remodeled in the 1980s.

Historic Images

Then & Now Comparisons

Warren Hall and South Nurses' Home

A view of Warren Hall (left) and South Nurses Home (right). Warren Hall was a dormitory for girls, while South Nurses served as a residence for Fernald staff. Both were built circa 1906-1907.

A view of Warren Hall (left) and South Nurses Home (right). Warren Hall was a dormitory for girls, while South Nurses served as a residence for Fernald staff, and both were erected circa 1906-1907. Evidence of Warren's updates are evident, with the addition of fireproof stairwells and an updated ventilation system. Unfortunately, the view of South Nurses has become obscured with vegetation.

Historic photograph taken in 1933, from the General Photographic Collection: Massachusetts: Standard-size photographs, 1860s-2000s: Massachusetts: Waltham: "Mass School for Feeble-Minded (Fernald)": Thompson and Thompson Images; Courtesy of Historic New England. Contemporary photo by Tom Kirsch, 2019.