130 Beacon, 1939

Title

130 Beacon, 1939

Description

Originally built as private residences, 130 Beacon was part of a group of Back Bay buildings held by Emerson College. The college purchased 130 Beacon in 1933 to house administrative offices and classrooms. It became the flagship building of Emeron's Back Bay campus and over the years would also served as the base for The Emerson Review, The Berkeley Beacon and EIV, as well as the college library and a television studio. President Ross created the college's first theater in the Carriage House, located behind 128 and 130 Beacon. In 1939, the name of the institution was shortened from Emerson College of Oratory to Emerson College to coincide with expanded course offerings. "I guess if you ask anyone from Emerson from the Beacon Street era, they would say The Wall was one of the best things about Emerson. It was like our Facebook. Behind The Wall was a huge sheet stretched between posts. All the events and news were posted daily. It was the central gathering point for campus life." - Barbara Ruthberg, BS '68 Pictured: The entrance to 130 Beacon in the early 1950s. Property signage displays the new name, "Emerson College, established 1880," as well as directional signage pointing the way to "FM station WERS," and "Drama workshop in rear." This was a popular student hangout known as the Wall. Upon learning that Emerson was selling the ?west side properties? and relocating to complete the ?Campus on the Common? vision, Emerson students, staff, and faculty lamented the loss of the Beacon Street buildings for their character which lent itself to a unique sense of community.

Date

1939

Subject

College buildings; College students

Source

Emerson College Archives and Special Collections

Publisher

Emerson College

Rights

Emerson College

Format

JPEG

Language

English

Type

still image

Files

130_Beacon_Students.jpg

Citation

“130 Beacon, 1939,” ECHO: Emerson College History Online, accessed March 29, 2024, https://emersonhistory.omeka.net/items/show/230.

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