MIT Building 50 – The Walker Memorial

MIT’s original Student Center, a grand old building in desperate need of renewal. The MIT Music and Theater section of the Humanities Department are looking for funding to completely refurbish it for multiple performance spaces.
They need it badly, and they actually deserve it. Space in Kresge Auditorium (physical and scheduling) is really tight, putting a crimp in some amazing student performances. For example, last Spring I saw a (free) brilliant, nearly-​flawless performance of Tom Stoppard’s «Arcadia» which outshone the excellent professional performance I saw a few years before. Perusing the program guide, I was amazed to see that the entire cast was MIT students, mostly undergrads. MIT doesn’t have a Theater major as such, so the Dramashop students were majoring in Physics, Engineering, Biology, and such.
There are several other groups that do Shakespeare, Gilbert & Sullivan, drag shows, experimental theater, and original productions. And then there’s the whole world of music at MIT, worthy of respect all by itself. Essentially everything is open to the general public, either free or at bargain prices.
I don’t know where they find the energy and time to develop their non-​degree talents, but they deserve a break from struggling with tight physical space and negotiating with all the other on-​campus groups for scarce scheduling slots. Is there anybody out there with cash to spare, and an interest in promoting theater and musical excellence in Boston, in an innovative and unexpected venue?

used to come here during Two Dollar Tuesday. nice place for students to mingle.

MIT Building 50, The Walker Memorial, is a glorious multipurpose building that in recent years seems rather neglected when compared to many of the newer venues on Campus.
One of the most beautiful spaces is Morss Hall, a Grand Ballroom, with sparkling terrazzo floors, elegant colonnade balconies and colorful murals. On the third floor is Walker Gym, a versatile athletic space that also serves as a dance rehearsal hall.
Building 50 is also home to the Muddy Charles Pub, the W1MX Radio Society, and the LGBT Rainbow Lounge. The spacious Mens lounge in the basement is known for it’s huge chalkboard above the urinals where thoughts, ideas, and other graffiti have been scrawled by generations of visitors.
Though the dining facilities in Walker closed a few years ago, it’s large kitchen is still used to prepare meals that are then served in other campus locations.
Designed by architect William Welles Bosworth, Building 50 shares many of the same classical design elements he bestowed on the other MIT buildings in the «Old Campus». This building is also very solid!
The Walker Memorial could easily be a five-​star MIT building if it were simply put to better use. With such a great location and beautiful facilities, it could once again be a popular destination for dining, dancing and other social-​entertainment activities that are presently lacking in the East Campus area.