Photo: Jarred Stanley
After a half century based at Cheever House, WCW moved to Simpson Cottage on the main Wellesley College campus this past summer.
One of the oldest buildings on campus, Simpson Cottage is an 1881 Queen Anne-style structure originally built as housing for “girls in delicate health, who were not fitted to endure the wear and tear of life in a large building,” according to an 1891 publication.
Long after these students had graduated, the building became the home of the Stone Center. In 1981, the Stone Center for Developmental Services and Studies was founded with a generous grant from Grace W. and Robert S. Stone. The center, first led by Jean Baker Miller, M.D., author of the groundbreaking book, Toward a New Psychology of Women, became the origin of Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), recognized by the American Psychological Association’s Theories of Psychotherapy Series as ‘one of the 10 most important psychological theories today.’ The Stone Center joined with the Center for Research on Women in 1995 to become a single organization: the Wellesley Centers for Women.
In recent years, Simpson Cottage housed Wellesley College’s counseling services and was adjacent to health services. Both have now moved into a new building next door, while Simpson Cottage received new paint, carpet, furniture, and other upgrades. (The National Institute on Out-of-School Time continues to be located at Waban House.)
WCW researchers and staff are enjoying their bright new workspace and happy to be geographically closer to students and colleagues at the College. Students are excited to have a shorter walk to their jobs and internships at WCW. The result is a buzzing, genial atmosphere where groundbreaking research and action are happening every day.
A selection of the new workspaces and common areas at Simpson Cottage. Spot some of the artwork brought over from Cheever House, as well as historic displays from our 50th anniversary celebration.
