Harvard Yard facts for kids
|
Harvard Yard Historic District
|
|
 |
|
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Location | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Built | 1718 |
| Architectural style | Georgian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000287 (original) 87002137 (increase) |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | February 6, 1973 |
| Boundary increase | December 14, 1987 |
Harvard Yard, located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is the oldest and most historic part of the Harvard University campus. It's like the heart of the university, where many important things happen.
This area is home to most of the dorms for first-year students. You'll also find Harvard's main libraries, the beautiful Memorial Church, and many classroom buildings here. Even the offices of Harvard's top leaders, including the President of Harvard University, are in the Yard.
The Yard is a large, grassy space that covers about 22.4 acres (about 9 hectares). It is surrounded by streets like Massachusetts Avenue and Cambridge Street. Around its edge, there's a fence, mostly made of iron, with twenty-seven different gates.
Contents
Exploring Harvard Yard's Main Areas
Tercentenary Theatre: Where Big Events Happen
The very center of Harvard Yard is known as Tercentenary Theatre. This is a wide, open grassy area. It's surrounded by some of Harvard's most famous buildings. These include Widener Library, Memorial Church, University Hall, and Sever Hall.
Tercentenary Theatre is a very important spot. It's where Harvard holds its yearly graduation ceremonies. Other large university gatherings also take place here.
The Old Yard: Home to First-Year Students
The western part of Harvard Yard is called the Old Yard. This area opens onto Peabody Street, which is close to Harvard Square. Most of the dorms for first-year students are located around the Old Yard.
One of the most famous buildings here is Massachusetts Hall. Built in 1720, it's Harvard's oldest building. It's also the second-oldest academic building in the entire United States! Today, the offices of the President of Harvard University are located in Massachusetts Hall.
The original Harvard Hall was also in the Old Yard. It used to hold the college library. Sadly, almost all the books, including those given by John Harvard, were destroyed in a fire in 1764. The building was rebuilt in 1766. The current Harvard Hall is now used for classrooms.
Across the Old Yard from Johnston Gate is University Hall, built in 1815. This building has a white granite front, which was a new style at the time. Between its two main staircases, you'll find the famous John Harvard statue. University Hall contains important administrative offices for the university.
Important Buildings in Harvard Yard
Libraries: A World of Books
Harvard Yard is home to several important libraries. These include Widener Library, which is one of the largest university libraries in the world. Connected to Widener is the Pusey Library annex. For rare books and old manuscripts, there's Houghton Library. Lamont Library is the main library for undergraduate students. Near Widener, you can also see the Harvard Bixi, which is a Chinese stone tablet with writing on it.
Dorms: Where Students Live
Many first-year students live in the dorms located in Harvard Yard. These include the upper floors of Massachusetts Hall. Other dorms are Wigglesworth Hall, Weld Hall, Grays Hall, Matthews Hall, Straus Hall, Mower Hall, Hollis Hall, Stoughton Hall, Lionel Hall, Holworthy Hall, Canaday Hall, and Thayer Hall.
Tucked among some of these dorms is Holden Chapel. This chapel is home to the Holden Choirs. Close by is Phillips Brooks House, which is a center for students who want to do volunteer work in the community.
Administrative Buildings: Running the University
Besides University Hall and Massachusetts Hall, other administrative buildings are in the Yard. Loeb House, on the east side, is where Harvard's main governing groups meet. These groups are the Harvard Corporation and the Board of Overseers. Wadsworth House, on the south side, houses the Harvard University Librarian and the Office of the University Marshal. Lehman Hall, at the southwest corner, helps students who live off-campus with their administrative needs.
Images for kids
-
Massachusetts Hall
-
The John Harvard statue
-
The Yard in Winter
-
The Yard around 1920
-
Wadsworth House, August 6, 1920. Photo from the Boston Public Library.
