Tufts University in Medford in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Alex's Place

Dedicated April 2009

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2026

1. Alex's Place Marker

Inscription. Alex's Place represents a collaborative vision blending landscape architecture and public art by artist Jackie Ferrara and landscape architect M. Paul Friedberg.

A sequence of distinct, interconnected spaces or "rooms" accommodating multiple purposes, all tied to the rhythm and pace of campus life, create a centralized location for studying, contemplation, outdoor teaching, socializing, performances, events, and receptions.

The large plaza area at the entrance features a brick mosaic with a sundial that defines the time of day from the shadow cast by a vertical, sculptural stylus. Facing Goddard Chapel, the shadow moves across the mosaic surface from right to left. Marble insets depict the three arcs of the dial. As the year passes the length of the shadow stretches from the near arc to the far one to mark the hour.

At the southeastern edge, layered into the mosaic pattern, a line of red bricks spells the name Alex Mendell in Morse Code. Paths lead past the Wisteria Room and the Long Table Room to the far end of the site. Overlooking the Boston skyline, a small amphitheater with a mosaic checkerboard floor is a

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place for concerts, classes, and performances.

Erected 2009.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical month for this entry is April 2009.

Location. 42° 24.404′ N, 71° 7.148′ W. Marker is in Medford, Massachusetts, in Middlesex County. It is in Tufts University. It is on Professors Row west of College Avenue. This marker and its accompanying plaza are on the roof of the Tisch Library at Tufts University. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 35 Professors Row, Medford MA 02155, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Historic Boston and specifically in Greater Boston.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in New England,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gravity Research Foundation

Alex's Place Marker (on the right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2026

2. Alex's Place Marker (on the right)

(a few steps from this marker); Armenian Genocide Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Publicar (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Tufts Memorial Steps (about 300 feet away); Hosea Ballou, II (about 400 feet away); Austin Barclay Fletcher, LL.D. (about 400 feet away); Dick and Sheila Asher Jumbo Garden (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Medford.

Also see . . .
1. History on the Hill: Alex's Place. An article by The Tufts Daily about this public space on top of Tisch Library.

Excerpt: "The library roof is a perennially popular meeting spot for Tufts students and faculty alike, especially as spring approaches. However, the site has more to it than a view of the Boston skyline. Tisch's rooftop houses Alex's Place, a memorial dedicated in the spring of 2009 to honor Alex Mendell, who committed suicide in 2003 as a sophomore at Tufts."

(Submitted on November 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. Jackie Ferrara, Artist Who Brought Mystery to Minimalism, Dies at 95. The New York Times

Alex's Place dedication plaque image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2026

3. Alex's Place dedication plaque

obituary for Jackie Ferrara, the artist who helped design this plaza atop the Tisch Library at Tufts. She died in 2025 in Switzerland at age 95.

Excerpt: “Ms. Ferrara, long a figure on the New York art scene, said in a recent interview that though she was in good health, she had decided to end her life after falling twice in the past year, reminding her not only of her frailty but also of her dislike of dependency on other people.

“'I don’t want a housekeeper,' she said with characteristic forthrightness. 'I never wanted anybody. I was married three times. That’s enough.'”

(Submitted on November 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

3. Remembering M. Paul Friedberg. Landscape architect M. Paul Friedberg, who designed this plaza atop Tisch Library, died in 2025.

Excerpt: “Friedberg discussed issues of change and continuity in landscape architecture in an insightful 2012 interview. Reflecting on the erasure of a number of his built works, in a 2014 essay for TCLF, Friedberg, who was not especially nostalgic about his built legacy, wrote: 'In my own mind, I have tried to determine/justify reasons for preservation.
Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, November 6, 2026

4. Alex's Place
Alex's Place typically offers a view of Boston's skyline, but it was not visible on this rainy day.
After allowing for the obvious inherent educational value, and as a living museum reminding us of the past, the answer is simple: Is what replaces the existing work of landscape architecture of more value. Is the experience more elevating, does the design enhance the vision of oneself, community, and environment? Are we eradicating historic precedents?'”

(Submitted on November 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 2 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 9, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.