History: The Facility
 A Community Landmark
The building that houses the Chevalier Memorial
Auditorium and the Gene Mack Gymnasium is an historical
and cultural treasure in the heart of Medford Square,
located at 30 Forest Street. This multi-functional
facility owned by the City of Medford was built in
1939-40 as part of the south wing addition to the
Medford High School.
The auditorium was dedicated on March 7, 1940 in memory
of Godfrey de Courcelles Chevalier, a pioneer in naval
aviation and a war hero from Medford. It holds many fond
memories for the more than 20,000 students who graduated
from its stage and was the center of much community
activity during the thirty year period, 1940-1970.
On the lower level of the building is the Gene Mack
Gymnasium, named for Gene “Mack” McGillicuddy, sports
cartoonist of national prominence and lifelong resident
of Medford who was a strong supporter of Medford High
athletics.
About the Architecture
This historic building is designed in the Greek Revival
style. Inside, the auditorium is the fifth largest
performance space in the Greater Boston area with a
seating capacity of 2000 persons. Art deco fixtures and
the unique elliptical ceiling with its recessed lighting
make the Chevalier Memorial Auditorium a national
treasure for the community to enjoy. |
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On Stage at Chevalier
As part of the Medford High School complex, the
auditorium hosted many civic events, functions,
pageants, shows and concerts with celebrities, and most
notably the popular musicals and drama presented by The
Mystic Players. One of the major events at Chevalier was
a Medford Bicentennial Pageant “People and Progress
Along the Mystic” which played in June 1976.
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Historical photo of interior view from the Chevalier stage |
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The Great Fire
A devastating multi-million dollar fire in 1965
destroyed much of the classroom buildings, so the City
began planning for a new high school and vocational
school. When the new complex opened in 1970, the old
classrooms, auditorium and gymnasium became vacant,
leaving these facilities without much promise of any
future use. In time, the classroom buildings were sold
and developed into the Schoolhouse Condominiums.
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Saved from the Wrecking Ball
In the late 70’s the building became the target of a
local initiative that proposed to tear down this unique
facility. Fortunately many citizens joined with The
Mystic Players who had a vision and appreciation for the
potential of the auditorium and gymnasium and they
successfully defeated this effort.
Funding to the Rescue
A turning point in the history and preservation of the
auditorium and gymnasium came in the early 80’s. About
this time, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts enacted
legislation issuing a bond to assist cities with the
rehabilitation and expansion of facilities to be used as
municipal civic or convention centers in order to
promote the economic well-being of the Commonwealth. To
facilitate the rehabilitation of the auditorium and
gymnasium, the City of Medford established the Civic
Auditorium and Convention Center Commission (CACCC).
With the funding of $2 million dollars in state funds to
the City of Medford, major work was done in the
Chevalier Memorial Auditorium to expand the stage,
improve the laboratories, build an elevator and a stair
tower to make the building fully handicap accessible.
More about the
Commission (CACCC).
A Promising Future
Thanks to hard work, perseverance and the collaboration
of many people, mostly volunteers and with the help of
state, local and private funds, the Chevalier Memorial
Auditorium reopened in 1992 bringing the experience of
live theater back to Medford Square. The Gene Mack
Gymnasium has been remodeled and reopened in February
2001 as a first-class recreational center for the youth
of the city. The Gene Mack Clubhouse, as it is now
known, is operated by the Boys & Girls Clubs of
Middlesex County and serves more than 1000 children and
teens.
Every resident in the City of Medford has a vested
interest in the success of this wonderful and unique
building. We hope you will help support and enjoy this
historical, cultural and recreational treasure in your
community.
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