Harvard History

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

Caricature of a young man in front of red doors, wearing a green striped sweater.

The Year a Beat Poet Squatted at Harvard

In 1954, Gregory Corso moved into Eliot House. How he stayed there is a literary legend.

by Constantine Archimedes Valhouli

Photograph of Samuel Eliot Morison

Morison, Handlin, and a new view of the Mem Hall fire

Morison, Handlin, and a new view of the Mem Hall fire

by Primus VI

Vegan muffins, hash, bacon, and other plant-based options are served at a cafeteria counter

While You Were Away

End-of-semester news and fun from around campus

by John S. Rosenberg

Drawing of Harvard and Oregon football players at the Rose Bowl, with the goalposts depicted at two long-stemmed red roses with a bar between them

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Photograph of Peter Ashton and field team in Borneo

Dipterocarp and shuttle derring-do, and more

Trekking, shuttling, and semi-friending

by Primus VI

A Hasty Pudding Theatricals poster from 1910 showing a debutante curtseying

Harvard Treasure: Hasty Pudding Posters

“Shingles” and other art of the Hasty Pudding from the Harvard Theatre Collection.

by Jonathan Shaw

Paul Lee (left) holds the Little Red Flag replica in 2012. Also shown (clockwise from top left) are Spencer Ervin, Jeffrey Lee, and Stephen Goodhue.

Who has attended the most Harvard-Yale Games?

Who’ll carry the traditionalists’ Little Red Flag?

An early group photo of Band members wearing bowler hats

The Harvard Band: a celebratory centennial history in brief

The Harvard Band celebrates a century.

by Sol Hurwitz

Unhappy bell-ringer replaced by an automated bell switch sits high in the steeple looking out over part of the Harvard campus below

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Painting of Amos A. Lawrence, 1887, by Eastman Johnson.

Expansive CVs, and extracurricular insights

Expansive CVs, and extracurricular insights

by Primus VI

Drawing of Alan Lomax singing in Harvard Yard

Headlines from Harvard’s history

Headlines from Harvard’s history