Harvard History & Traditions

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

Wadsworth House with green shutters and red brick chimneys, surrounded by trees and other buildings.

Wadsworth House Nears 300

The building is a microcosm of Harvard’s history—and the history of the United States.

by Primus VI

Winthrop House

Harvard Considers Request to Rename Winthrop House

Harvard’s process for considering denaming requests is tested for the first time.

by Nina Pasquini

Embedded thumbnail for Historic Humor

Harvard Lampoon Donates Historic Materials to University Archives

University Archives to preserve Harvard Lampoon materials

by Nina Pasquini

"Doonesbury" comic nominating Duke for Harvard president

Harvard Degree Honorands Connected through the Wright Brothers

Three honorands connected in time through Wilbur and Orville Wright, the fathers of aviation

by Primus VI

A cartoon of lobster and other foods for Harvard reunions

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Headlines from Harvard’s history

University Hall occupied by student protestors, April 9, 1969

Darker Days

The current disquiets compared to Harvard’s Vietnam-era traumas

by Primus VI

Photograph of Winthrop Bell 1910

Winthrop Bell: Harvard Philosopher, MI6 Spy, and Early Forecaster of the Holocaust

Brief life of a philosopher and spy: 1884-1965

by Jason Bell

Illustration of Carpenter Center

Headlines from Harvard’s history

The Carpenter Center celebrated

The stylish Charlie Davidson

Square Scribes

Harvard Square retailers’ tales—and a changing local scene

by Primus VI

Portrait of Zelia Nuttall, 1880

Zelia Nuttall

Brief life of a remarkable anthropologist (1857-1933)

by Merilee Grindle

Cartoon of John Harvard figure ice skating at Harvard Law School

Yesterday’s News

Harvard Law School: the skating rink