Harvard History

Stories that explore the institution’s rich history, from archival moments to evolving traditions.

A graphic depiction of a stone wall, reimagining the stone wall set in Harvard Square near Winthrop Street

One of Harvard’s Oldest Structures Is Hiding Behind a Beer Garden

A crumbling wall in Harvard Square holds centuries of the city’s story, if you know how to read it.

by Olivia Farrar

Top row from left: Zaid al-Rifa'i, Barbara Fischbein Berenson, Stephen G. Hoffman, John Paul Kennedy, and Paul G. O'Leary. Bottom from left: Claire Stuart Roth and Jody Cukier Siegler

Hunn Memorial Schools and Scholarships 2011 award winners

Seven alumni received Hunn Memorial Schools and Scholarships Awards in 2011.

Marcel Moran and Anne Douglas

Two students named the David and Mimi Aloian Memorial Scholars

Anne Douglas ’12, of Adams House, and Marcel Moran ’11, of Eliot House, are the 2011 David and Mimi Aloian Memorial Scholars.

Top from left: Helen Snively, Tom Southwick, Carol Sternhell, and Deborah Johnson

Harvard-Radcliffe graduates reflect on the 1970-71 coed living experiment

The class of 1971 reflects on the coeducational living experiment.

by Nell Porter-Brown

Headlines from Harvard's history

Headlines from Harvard's history

One of the earliest American football posters, done for <i>Harper’s</i> in 1894 by Edward Penfield. This example, in B+ condition, sold at a Swann Galleries auction August 3 in New York City for $1,320, including buyer’s premium. In 1894 Yale beat Harvard 12-4.

Robert Kiely on gay rights at Adams House, plus the Harvard M.B.A. Indicator

Robert J. Kiely on gay rights at Adams House, plus the Harvard M.B.A. Indicator

A miniature portrait of Craigie in his prime, this watercolor on ivory, painted around 1800, is attributed to Archibald Robertson.

Profile of Revolutionary patriot and scoundrel Andrew Craigie

Brief life of a patriot and scoundrel: 1754-1819

by Anthony J. Connors

To get the evening's dancing started, a "flash mob" of dancers performed a choreographed routine they'd rehearsed throughout the previous week. The dancers were on the steps of Widener Library and at other Yard locations. Colorful LED lighting decorated buildings around the Yard.

Harvard's 375th anniversary celebration, in words and photographs

Harvard's 375th anniversary celebration, in words and photographs

Eric Chivian, director of the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School, supplied heirloom apples from his orchard in central Massachusetts, including the Roxbury Russet, a variety that Chivian believes was once grown in Harvard Yard.

Food from Harvard's 375th anniversary celebration

Heirloom apples, "1636" ale, and a historical dining hall menu provide sustenance for the 375th anniversary gala.

Students from the Harvard Business School (HBS) party on despite the rain. The HBS contingent in the parade carried replicas of the centennial bell from that school's 2008 anniversary.

Harvard Business School perspective on the 375th anniversary gala

A dispatch from the Business School's anniversary celebration

by Kate Dempsey St...

All stacked up and ready to recycle

Harvard recycling services aim to keep Friday’s 375th party “zero-waste”

Harvard’s recycling services aim to keep Friday’s big birthday party “zero-waste.”