Want to own a piece of sports history? Northeastern is selling bricks and chairs from Matthews Arena.
The university is also selling 1,000 bricks that are “being meticulously excavated, preserved, and monogrammed by Northeastern to deliver an eye-catching collectible” that commemorates the arena’s 115-year-old history.
Each brick costs $150, and a live auction is underway for brick No. 1.
“This one-of-one collectible is certain to retain its value as the first ceremonial brick removed from the iconic arena,” the auction webpage states. “Whether you’re a Northeastern fan, or want a piece of the stadium that was the original home to the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics, this collectible is sure to spark conversation in your home or workplace.”
The live auction will continue through Dec. 16, and the winning bidder will receive their brick in February.
As of Tuesday morning, the top bid for the No. 1 brick was $600.
Demolition of the arena is slated to start around February and is expected to take two to three months, according to Northeastern’s website.
Matthews Arena hosted its final Northeastern women’s ice hockey game and alumni event on Saturday. The last men’s hockey game will be played against Boston University on Dec. 13.
Matthews Arena has a long history, opening its doors in 1910.
An artist’s rendition of the still-unopened Boston Arena from the Jan. 17, 1910, edition of the Globe. The facility opened three months later with an ice carnival to aid the Sharon Sanatorium.Boston Globe Archives
Originally known as Boston Arena, it had to be rebuilt after a fire in December 1918, and reopened with much fanfare in January 1921.
It served as the first home of the Boston Bruins and the Celtics, was the birthplace of the legendary Beanpot tournament, and played host to famous politicians (Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy), pioneering pilots (Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart), professional athletes (Babe Ruth, Joe Louis) and performing artists (Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, The Doors, and many more).
Northeastern bought the arena in 1979, and it was dedicated in 1982 and renamed the George J. and Hope M. Matthews Arena.
George J. Matthews was a Northeastern graduate who served on the university’s board of trustees and led the efforts to renovate the arena. He died in January 2024.
Emily Sweeney can be reached at emily.sweeney@globe.com. Follow her @emilysweeney and on Instagram @emilysweeney22.
