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MIT Endicott House Announces Year of Celebration
to Mark 50th Anniversary of the Institute’s
Stewardship of Historic Property
New incentives program for meeting planners debuts July 2005
DEDHAM, Mass., June 27, 2005 – The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) today announced it will inaugurate a year-long series of events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its ownership and management of MIT Endicott House in Dedham, Massachusetts. The House, one of the nation's first conference centers, has been an important asset in helping fulfill the Institute's academic mission for 50 years.
MIT Endicott House is operated as a full-service conference, meeting and special events destination. It has served as the meeting facility for many MIT departments and has been the primary site of the MIT Sloan School of Management's renowned senior executive program. In addition to serving the MIT community, MIT Endicott House is used by community groups as well as medical, governmental, non-profit and corporate organizations.
Happy Birthday, Endicott House
MIT Tech Talk, January 25, 2006
Endicott House is celebrating 50 years as part of MIT with a new book detailing the history of the families who once lived on the estate in Dedham, Mass. The original house, Rockweld, was built aournd the time of the Civil War by the grandfather of Rose Weld Baldwin. Baldwin attended a January 17 celebrationat the house, with Priscilla and Bradford Endicott, siblings, whose fatherbuilt Endicott House on the site where Rockweld once stood.
  
A Home on Haven Street
Mit Endicott Housse is proud to announce the release of a coffee table book, titled, A Home on Haven Street. The 128-page book documents, through narrative and breathtaking photographs, the history of the estate and the two manor houses that have crowned its expansive Frederick Law Olmstead-designed grounds and gardens. The book is available for purchase at $24.95 plus tax and shipping by calling (718) 326-5151. 
Golden Anniversary Offer to Event Planners
For half a century, MIT Endicott House has been providing a unique setting to think, plan and learn. To celebrate this tradition of excellence, MIT Endicott House is offering...
- A complimentary first addition of A Home on Haven Street and a complimentary luncheon to all event planners who schedule a site visit prior to June 30, 2006.
- A signature garden terrarium will be awarded to any planner who books a meeting prior to June 30, 2006.
- In addition, after booking 10 Complete Meeting Packages, the 11th is free! To reserve, call (781) 251-6363.
Upcoming Celebrations
- IACC Study Tour, March 21
MIT Endicott House will host members of the International Association of Conference Centers for a special dinner and tour of the facility.
- Dedham Civic Pride, April 8
Andy Turcotte, head gardener of the greenhouses at MIT Endicott House, will lead tours during this fundraising gala. The event includes hors d'oeuvres, light buffet, Boradway hits sung by members of a localtheater group and a silent auction. Proceeds help support Civic Pride's beautification programs.
- MIT's Block Party, May 13
Members of the MIT Community are invited to attend a day of food, fun, entertainment and recreation.
- Dedham Historical Society House Tour, June 4
MIT Endicott House will open its doors to the piblic along with several other prestigious houses as part of Dedham Historical Society's annual house tour.
- IACC Recognition, June 21
The International Association of Conference Centers will present a commemorative plaque to MIT Endicott House in honor of its stature as the country's oldest university conference center.
MIT Endicott House, a Brief History
The original site comprising 1000 acres of land in Dedham was initially amassed by the Civil War Hero General Stephen Minot Weld in the early 1870s. Weld then built the first mansion to grace the land on 25 acres. This home was called “Rockweld.” The name was appropriate in that General Weld was credited with creating America’s first great rock garden on the property.
In the early 1920s the estate was sold to H. Wendell Endicott, scion of the family that founded the Endicott Johnson Shoe company. Wendell Endicott proceeded to advance the horticultural achievements of his predecessor, though he did raze “Rockweld” and had built the Charles Platt-designed French country style mansion that exists on the site today. Additionally, Endicott and Platt extensively reworked the gardens to better reflect Endicott’s interest in massive displays of annual flowers.
After Endicott’s passing it was specified in his will that the estate be bequeathed to an educational institution, the selection of which would be managed by his executors. After fielding several inquiries, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was chosen as the most suitable steward of this magnificent property. The house passed into MIT’s ownership on Christmas Eve 1954 and it began its new life as a high-end full-service conference center in July 1955.
Today, the guests of Endicott House are graced with a combination of old-family elegance, including exquisite meals, an extensive wine list and the ambience of a different era. At the same time, guest have access to the most modern conference amenities one would expect from MIT, such as WiFi Internet access through out the main buildings and state-of-the-art audio and video equipment that can meet the needs of any gathering.
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