The Mitton House at Newbury College and the Lois and David Weltman Dining Room - A Brief History

The Mitton House was designed by architect William Peters in 1893 for Mrs. Josephine Gay, wife of Frederick Gay, a Boston merchant. Construction began, that same year, on the estate of Francis Fisher (in what is now known as the historical Fisher Hill district of Brookline) and was completed three years later in 1896. The Mitton House is considered by many to be the "Grande dame" of the buildings on campus, with her graceful Georgian Revival design.

In 1919 George W. Mitton, president of Jordan Marsh Department Stores, purchased the house from the Gay Family. During the 38 years that the Mitton family lived in the house, they made numerous renovations including the addition of "twin" sunrooms that flank the patio.

In 1957, Cardinal Richard Cushing, Archbishop of Boston, and the Catholic Archdiocese acquired the Mitton House and the surrounding land to build a private college for women. The Mitton House became the home of the Sisters of the Holy Cross and the surrounding land became Cardinal Cushing College. Fifteen years later, in 1972, the Catholic Archdiocese closed the campus.

In 1972, the Mitton House became the home of the Boston Children's Theater and the site of many educational and theatrical performances.

In 1982, Newbury College acquired the Mitton House and the surrounding educational buildings. Today the first floor is the site of both the Classical Kitchen and the Lois and David Weltman Dining Room where lunch and dinners are prepared and served by the Culinary Arts students as part of their "hands-on" training in their sophomore year. The former "billiard room" on the first floor provides a welcoming atmosphere for visitors and members of the Newbury community.

In 1999 with a generous donation by David Weltman, chairman of the Board of Trustees, the dining room was renovated and renamed the Lois and David Weltman Dining Room.