Hart House (University of Toronto)

Hart House is the main student activity centre of the University of Toronto. Located on the St. George campus in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, it is the cultural centre of the university's tri-campus community. Established in 1919, it is one of the earliest North American student centres, being the location of student debates and conferences since its construction. Hart House was initiated and financed by Vincent Massey, an alumnus and benefactor of the university, and was named in honour of his grandfather, Hart Massey. The Collegiate Gothic-revival complex was the work of architect Henry Sproatt, who worked alongside decorator Alexander Scott Carter, and engineer Ernest Rolph, and subsequently designed the campanile at its southwestern corner, Soldiers' Tower. In 1957, the house hosted future U.S. President John F. Kennedy.