History of the MBC

In May 1920, the American Institute of Architects Convention was held in Washington, D.C. and it focused on the problems in construction after World War I. A report was written recommending the development of "Parliaments of Building Trades" as had been done in England. Out of this effort the Boston Building Congress and similar Congresses in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and a number of other cities were born.

On May 2, 1921 the Boston Congress of the Building and Construction Industries was formed and architect William Stanley Parker was elected Chairman. It was agreed that eight individuals representing eight major segments of the construction industry would meet on a regular basis.

Those original eight represented architects, building investment, engineers, general contractors, labor, material distributors, material producers, and subcontractors. For several years luncheon meetings were held at the Boston City Club where discussions were frank and firm friendships developed.

Years later, James Gauld, Business Agent of the Carpenters Union said of those initial meetings: "Before the Congress was started I had no opportunity to meet contractors informally, only when I called on them in connection with some labor difficulty. I had no use whatever for a certain contractor. As a result of sitting with him at our lunches and discussing our problems I have come to have a strong regard for him. My attitude towards him has completely changed."

Throughout the 20's and 30's, the Boston Building Congress addressed legislative and labor issues, and in 1937 a bill to control bidding on public works projects was drafted and filed with the Legislature. In 1939 this became familiarly known as Chapter 480 and has since been revised many times.

During the 1940's meetings continued and WWII and post-war problems claimed attention. During 1946 the name of the organization was changed to the Massachusetts Building Congress for the purpose of increasing its geographical scope.

In January 1948, John P. Darmody, CPA set up the first set of books for the MBC for proper recording of the finances of the organization. Since 1948, a listing of the Building Congress membership has been provided.

The First Annual Outing was held in 1950 at the Woodland Golf Club in Newton. Within three years, the clubhouse facilities were outgrown and a tent had to be set up to accommodate the expanding attendance.

The MBC incorporated in 1951. Due to the steady growth of membership to over 500 members, it became necessary that the original bylaws be revised and brought in line with the present type of organization. Such committees as Finance, Outing and Governmental were established as well as a provision for the appointment of Special Committees. The Annual Dinner featuring a speaker of national prominence developed into one of the best-attended events on the Construction Industry's calendar.

In 1954, an "Opportunity Exhibit and Design Display" was initiated in conjunction with the Annual Dinner. By 1959, the membership of the MBC had increased to 1,000 members, with attendance at both the Annual Outing and Annual Dinner reaching well into the 700's. That was quite an impressive record as the MBC celebrated its 40th Anniversary with Peter Volpe serving as President.

1960 saw an America that was experiencing a post-war boom and struggling to keep up with its own growth. Many of our cities were undergoing urban redevelopment and Boston was no exception. Our membership was fully involved in the building of the modern Boston. These were heady times as Boston built a new Government Center, the Prudential Center, the Christian Science Center and many other noteworthy projects.

Throughout the 70's, the skyline in Boston kept changing and so did the MBC. There were upturns and downturns in the economy but the Boston Public Library put on an addition, the JFK Library was built and the Back Bay sprouted a 60-story glass phenomenon, the Hancock Tower.

The boom years arrived in the 80's. There was an artificial euphoria as project after project came on the boards and into existence. Rowes Wharf, the renovation of South Station, and the West Wing of the MFA were built and there were plenty of federal, state, and institutional projects to go around. But in 1989 reality set in and construction ground to a halt. Many of our member firms didn't survive that downturn.

As the 90's have developed, so too has a new breed of builder. There is caution, conservatism, and a closer look at the bottom line today. As an organization we've felt the change and are adapting to meet the needs of our members. Today's business mantra is "Network, network, network." The original founders of the MBC discovered that when they brought people together their differences disappeared. We're proud that we have "Over 75 Years of Building Relationships."