Built in 1854, the President’s House is the oldest structure on Wellesley College’s historic campus, overlooking Lake Waban. The wood frame structure was built for the College’s Founder, and has since been the residence of the College President.

 

With the installation of their new President, Diana Chapman Walsh, the College took the opportunity to accomplish an extensive series of interior and exterior renovations. Handicapped access to the first floor was provided by regrading the site, and creating an exterior terrace adjacent to the front entrance. A first floor accessible Toilet Room is fully code compliant, yet from all outward appearances designed as the typical powder room one would expect in such a residence. The “grab bars” are integrated as mahogany caps on painted wood wainscot, consistent with wood detailing prevalent in the house. Vanities are marble with turned wood legs, open below for required wheelchair tolerances.

 

Improvements to lighting  were an important aspect of the renovations. The first floor renovations include extensive gallery lighting, so that the College’s Davis Museum can maintain an on-going exhibition of works in the public spaces of the house. French door draperies were removed and replaced with interior wood shutters so that the living and dining rooms could open up to the natural light and views out to Lake Waban.

 

The upper floors of the building were extensively renovated for the Walshes, providing new bath and dressing rooms, as well as private living areas and guest suites. Exterior renovations included window replacement, flashing and roofing repairs