Loews Boston Hotel Enhances Historic Landmark

April 14, 2016

The Harrison Room is named after Dorothy E. Harrison, Boston’s first African American woman detective.

Loews Boston Hotel, located in the former Boston Police Headquarters, has completed renovations of 5,000 sf of meeting space. The hotel originally underwent a renovation in 2014, converting the historic building into a business traveler hotel. The hotel continues its commitment to enhance the property by renovating each meeting space and paying homage to the building’s history (celebrating 90 years in December 2016) by renaming each meeting room after a former Boston police officer.

Today, the newly outfitted rooms have all new lighting, premium AV equipment, marble countertops, custom window treatments, wall covering, carpeting and furnishings, including framed historic photographs from the Boston Police archives.

The Crowley Room — Superintendent Michael H. Crowley (served 1888 – 1933). Affectionately known by all Bostonians as “The Super”, a position he held for 18 years, a son of South Boston, Crowley worked his way through the ranks. As superintendent, Crowley commanded the force through the Molasses Flood, the May Day Riots, and the police strike of 1919. At his wake, 400 men in civilian clothes marched by his casket — former striking police officers who still respected The Super.
The Sheehan Room — Deputy Superintendent James T. Sheehan (served 1920 – 1952). Made his reputation revamping the Boston Police Department’s criminal identification system, which J. Edgar Hoover called the best of any department in the nation. He was a member of the first class at the FBI National Academy and became a guest instructor. An honest cop during the corrupt prohibition era, Sheehan was tapped by the governor to clean up police corruption in a neighboring city. He was known as a “Racket Buster” who could not be bought.
The Wilson Room — Deputy Superintendent Francis G. Wilson (served 1926 – 1958). Remembered as the tenacious investigator who cracked the Brink’s Robbery case. He spent 16 years with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Headquarters investigating homicides and other major cases. As a captain, Wilson was the first African American to command a district police station. Wilson wrote the state civil service police exam used in all other cities and towns in Massachusetts. His investigative skills were sought by police departments around the country, and he was happy to give credit to others. Upon his death while in office, the district attorney called Francis G. Wilson “the greatest cop who ever lived.”
The Harrison Room — Detective Dorothy E. Harrison (served 1944 – 1972). Boston’s first African American woman detective, who outwitted an armed man on her second day on the job. She had studied opera at Boston University but felt her race would keep her from a full professional musical career and chose policing as a career of service. Her beat was the South End, the same community she lived in her entire life. As a female officer, Harrison was armed only with a badge and had to rely on her intelligence and ability. Harrison outwitted an armed man on her second day on the job. “Harry”, as she liked to be called, was a much sought-after speaker who represented the BPD at hundreds of community gatherings.
The Taylor Room — Superintendent-in-Chief William J. Taylor (served 1940 – 1974). A superb administrator who did much to modernize the Boston Police Department, it was under his tenure that the 911 call system was instituted and modern policing tactics introduced. Taylor began his career in the Roxbury district before leaving to serve in the Second World War. When he passed the captain’s exam he was the youngest captain in the Department. Taylor. Known as a man on integrity and fairness, called the police the “men in the middle” during turbulent times.
The Pugsley Room — Honoring the family and their heritage. Sergeant Detective Arthur S. Pugsley (served 1929 – 1967) is saluted by his seven sons Arthur Jr., Stanley, Ernest, Robert, Charles, John and Richard. A third-generation family member currently serves on the Boston Police Department.

“These renovations were conceived with our business traveler and event planners in mind, upgrading technology and amenities for today’s executives,” said Carolyn Tiley, director of marketing at Loews Boston Hotel. “While the rooms reflect a modern environment, we also embrace the history of the building through the naming of the rooms after some of the city’s most memorable officers.”