# Boston University Castle

- **Country:** the United States
- **Location Text:** or BU Castle, Boston, Massachusetts, built from 1904 to 1915. It is a Tudor Revival style mansion owned by Boston University.[http://www.bu.edu/castle/introduction/history/index.shtml Boston University | Office of Conference Services]

The Boston University Castle, located on Bay State Road in Boston, is a striking Tudor Revival-style mansion that serves as a prominent landmark for the university. Originally constructed between 1904 and 1915, the residence was built for William Lindsey, a wealthy businessman who made his fortune supplying cartridge belts to the British Army during the Boer War. Lindsey, who was also a poet and playwright with a deep fascination for medieval romance, designed the home to emulate the great manor houses of Tudor England. Architectural historian Bainbridge Bunting notably praised the structure for achieving the most convincing medieval effect in the Back Bay area. The building's early history is marked by personal tragedy when Lindsey's eldest daughter and her new husband were killed aboard the RMS Lusitania shortly after their wedding at the castle, an event that led Lindsey to build a memorial chapel in their honor.

Following Lindsey's era, the property was purchased by botanist Oakes Ames in 1926 and subsequently donated to Boston University in 1939. For nearly three decades, from 1939 until 1967, the mansion served as the official residence for the university's presidents. Today, the castle is owned by the institution and functions primarily as a venue for receptions, concerts, and catered special occasions. Its distinctive architecture has also attracted the film industry, serving as a filming location for major motion pictures including the Kevin Spacey-produced film 21 and the 2016 reboot of Ghostbusters.

Beneath the main halls lies the BU Pub, an English-style establishment located in the basement. This unique facility stands as the only drinking establishment operated directly by Boston University on its campus. While the pub serves drinks and sandwiches to faculty, staff, students, and alumni, it maintains exclusive access policies and remains closed on weekends. The castle continues to stand as a testament to early twentieth-century grandeur, blending historical significance with modern utility as a hub for university events and cultural production.

![Photo of Boston University Castle](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cb/BU_Castle_April_2013.JPG)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BU_Castle (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)