Mather House opened in 1970. Mather House was named for Increase Mather (A.B. 1656), seventh President of Harvard (1685-1692), negotiator with James II of the Massachusetts Charter, and father of Cotton Mather (A.B. 1678). After his tenure as President, Increase Mather and his son were instrumental in founding the college which has since become Yale. It was Cotton Mather who suggested the name Yale.

Mather House was designed by Shepley, Bulfinch, Richardson and Abbot, which has designed all of Harvard's residential houses. Established in 1874 by the American architect, Henry Hobson Richardson (designed of Sever), Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott is one of the oldest continuously-practicing architectural firms in the nation and the oldest in Boston. They have designed numerous landmarks in Boston, including South Station, the Arther Fiedler footbridge, and the Boston Public Library (click here for more info).

Mather is composed of two modern buildings: the Low-rise surrounds a courtyard, from which one gains entry to the Dining Hall, House offices, classrooms, the Junior Common Room, Senior Common Room, other common areas, and student and tutor suites; the Tower has student and tutor suites which command a view of the Charles River and downtown Boston.