Southeastern Massachusetts Technological Institute construction photographs

In 1964 the Bradford Durfee College of Technology and the New Bedford Institute of Technology, two state colleges with their roots in the local textile industry, merged to form Southeastern Massachusetts Technological Institute (SMTI). It was clear that neither the downtown New Bedford nor the downtown Fall River campuses of the predecessor schools would be suitable for expansion, therefore the trustees looked to build a modern campus in a strategic location between the 2 southeastern Massachusetts cites. At their request, in 1960 the Massachusetts General Court appropriated $1.5 million to be used for the acquisition of a campus site and development of the initial architectural plans. Yale School of Architecture Dean and practicing architect Paul Rudolph was hired to draw up plans for a complete campus. In 1963, the General Court appropriated $6 million to begin construction. New SMTI president Joseph Leo Driscoll, the combined Board of Trustees, and faculty of both predecessor schools met at the school’s temporary offices at the Capri Motel on Route 6 in North Dartmouth to review plans and meet with architects and designers.

On June 14, 1964, ground was broken. In attendance at the ceremonies were SMTI President Driscoll, Governor Peabody, Board of Trustees President Joseph Souza, and Massachusetts State Senator Mary Fonseca, a long time advocate of a merged school. The power plant was the first building on campus to be constructed. Construction of Group I, which is the only major building on campus that was both designed by and built under the guidance of Paul Rudolph (he is credited with the overall campus design, and later buildings follow his design principles) commenced soon after. Group I was dedicated on June 5, 1966.