It was built in 1866 in a mixture of Second Empire and Romanesque styles.

It was named for Gardner Colby (1810–79), who was treasurer of the school and also was the benefactor of Waterville College in Maine, which changed its name to Colby College in his honor.

On January 30, 1978. it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

[1] In 1977, Colby Hall was renovated by Drummey Rosane Anderson, Inc. (D-R-A) to serve as its design center.

This article about a Registered Historic Place in Newton, Massachusetts is a stub.