Harvard History

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

Headlines from Harvard history, September-October 1910-1995

From the pages of the Harvard Alumni Bulletin and Harvard Magazine

Harvard's WHRB's unusual and ingenious mix of classical, jazz, country, and rock

For 75 years, WHRB has moved beyond the “warhorses.”

by Craig Lambert

How Jim Connor got to Harvard, and Isadore Zarakov’s home run

How Jim Connor got to Harvard, and Isadore Zarakov’s home run

Headlines from Harvard history, July-August 1930-1970

From the pages of the Harvard Alumni Bulletin and Harvard Magazine

Long a mystery to passers-by at the Harvard Club of New York, these photographs depict Mullgardt’s Tower

A Harvard Club mystery solved, a student artist’s epiphany

A Harvard Club discovery, a College artist’s epiphany

James M. Freeman wrote in his diary about having his picture taken in 1859

Daguerreotypes and Harvard class albums on display at Pusey Library

Harvard class albums from the early days of photography, on exhibit at Pusey Library

by John S. Rosenberg

Altrocchi at his home in Reno. The goalpost has to go.

Goalpost antics, Harvard vinegar, and the flip-flop menace

Goalpost antics, Harvard vinegar, and the flip-flop menace

Headlines from Harvard history, May-June 1925-1995

From the pages of the Harvard Alumni Bulletin and Harvard Magazine

Nuttall during his time at Harvard (the circa 1828 portrait is attributed to J. Whitfield)

Brief life of naturalist Thomas Nuttall, by John Nelson

Brief life of a pioneering naturalist: 1786-1859

by John Nelson

Calvert W. Watkins

The Pump Overflows

Astonishing linguist Calvert Watkins