Myles Standish Hall is a Boston University dormitory located at 610 Beacon Street, in Kenmore Square. Originally constructed in 1925 and opened as the Myles Standish Hotel, it was deemed to be one of the finest hotels in the world.[1] In 1949 BU acquired the building and converted it into a dormitory.
In 2018, BU completed a comprehensive two-year renovation, completely rebuilding the interior of the building. In 2021, the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag requested the dorm be renamed to Wituwamat Memorial Hall to honor a leading Native American figure massacred by Myles Standish.[2] Robert A. Brown, President of Boston University, responded to this effort and stated Standish's “role in the history of the founding of Massachusetts, and thus our nation, was significant. To remove his name from the residence hall would discount his significant role in our history. I am not prepared to remove his name at this time.”[3]
However, in May 2024, an article in a university publication[4] announced that in response to a request from the Faculty Council, the name of the building would be changed, noting "the dorm will be known simply by its address, 610 Beacon Street, at least for the time being."
- ^ Salzman, Nancy Lurie (1985). Buildings and Builders. pp. 163–164. ISBN 0-87270-056-9.
- ^ "Why BU Should Rename Myles Standish Hall".
- ^ "President Robert Brown rejects Myles Standish Hall name change petition – the Daily Free Press".
- ^ "Boston University Removes the Myles Standish Name from Dorm – BU Today".