170 Brattle Street History

The house currently sited at 170 Brattle Street was built by Oliver Hastings in 1852 and originally located at #2 Philips Place, right outside of Harvard Square.  The property was purchased from Jared Sparks, then president of Harvard College.  Originally owned by Judge Daniel Wells it was then purchased by The Episcopal Theological School for the residence of the first dean of the school followed by a long list of professors.  In January 1964 the school concluded that #2 Philips Place was the best site for the expansion of their library.  Due to the historic and architectural significance of “The Wells House”, described at the time as “one of the best examples of Greek Revival architecture in Cambridge”, it was concluded that the house must remain in-tact and the best solution was to move it.

In January 1965, the 150 ton house was raised up and moved down Brattle Street to its new location- an event that was subject to a 1965 Boston Globe Article “It Rattled Brattle” (see below). The house was then placed on a new foundation and purchased by Freema Shapiro, who renovated and lived in the home until her passing in 2022 at 106 years old.  Since 2022 the house has undergone the planning and execution of an extensive renovation with award-winning architect Frank Shirley. The historic preservation of the house’s notable Greek Revival Architectural style has been a great consideration while renovating this house for modern living. 

Source Materials:

 Taylor, F.B. “It Rattled Brattle. The Boston Globe, Friday, January 29, 1965 p. 11

Webb, Roger. “Memories of a Preservationist: The Judge Daniel Wells House.”  History Cambridge, July 23,2015

R.A.R.E. Inc. “Historical Research Report on The Judge Daniel Wells House #170 Brattle Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts” 1965

Photographs courtesy of the Cambridge Historical Society