Institute History

This page documents the Institute's history as reflected in historical materials housed in the Wentworth University Archives. This information is not an extensive history of the Institute, but a starting point for research. Compiling the Institute's history is an ongoing project, therefore, information may be incomplete. The materials used in compiling this information have been cited at the bottom of each page. For access to, or more information about archival material, please contact the archivist.

Included on this page is information about the following topics as they pertain to the Institute between 1924-1952:

• Campus Building and Expansion
• Notable People (content to be added)
• Military Involvement (content to be added)
• Sports (content to be added)
• Student Activities and Extracurriculars (content to be added)

Watson Hall 

Other Name(s): Auditorium Building 

Designed by architects Kilham, Hopkins, and Greeley, construction on Watson Hall began in 1927. 

Formerly, Watson Hall was used for classroom space, commencement exercises, student recreation and dining, and housed a diesel engine lab. At one point, the library was housed on the narrow mezzanine level of Watson Hall. 

Watson Hall currently houses the counseling center, health services, the publications office, and an auditorium.  

Rubenstein Hall 

Rubenstein Hall was built in 1941 by architects Peabody and Stearns. Over time, Rubenstein Hall was home to a gymnasium, bookstore, machine shop, robotics and metrology lab, thermodynamics lab, gas welding lab, fluids lab, faculty offices, and electrical power producing steam engines. The basement of the building was originally intended to be used as a fieldhouse (alongside the gymnasium upstairs). The main floor had a parquet floor of herringbone design that was just barely large enough to house a basketball court. 

With the onset of World War II, the building was turned into a diesel engine shop.  

Rubenstein Hall currently houses supersonic and subsonic wind tunnels, administrative and faculty offices, classrooms, testing labs, and the thermodynamics lab.

Kingman Hall 

Other Name(s): Aircraft Maintenance Building 

Construction on Kingman Hall began in 1945. Architects Kilham, Hopkins, and Greely designed the building. This building was built for aircraft instruction, complete with first-rate furnishings (four surplus airplanes as well as 13 aircraft engines). 

Kingman Hall housed laboratories, service rooms, offices, and a lab used for the Team Hyperion Project. Formerly, Kingman Hall was home to the Aeronautics Department, and the metal finishing and aircraft accessory, engines, airframes, and sheet metal shops.