Harvard History

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

Stone archway adorned with a crest and surrounded by green trees.

Harvard Releases Database of 1,613 People Enslaved by University Affiliates

Research continues to track down living descendants.

by Lydialyle Gibson

John P. "Jack" Reardon

Commencement confetti

Notes and statistics, vital and otherwise

Headlines from Harvard history

Headlines from Harvard history

Photograph by Jim Harrison

Yamamoto at Harvard, and a Harvard Community Garden

What Admiral Yamamoto learned at Harvard, and a new community garden

Alexandra Petri

2010 Commencement humor

The lighter side of Harvard's Commencement

Photograph by Jim Harrison

The oldest alumni

Rose Downes Arnold ’36 and George Barner ’29 led the alumni procession.

President Drew Faust and Provost Steven Hyman with the 2010 honorary degree recipients. Back row, from left to right: David Nathan, Freeman Hrabowski, Richard Serra, David Souter, Thomas Nagel, Thomas Cech, and Hyman. Front row, from left to right: Onora O'Neill, Meryl Streep, Faust, Susan Lindquist, and Renée Fox.

Recipients of Harvard honorary degrees at Commencement 2010

The honorary degree recipients, class of 2010.

Headlines from Harvard history

Headlines from Harvard history

The dining hall of the Harvard crew’s training camp, with its game-room addition at right, overlooks the Thames river.

The unique Harvard-Yale crew race

Nearly everything about the Harvard-Yale regatta is unique.

by Craig Lambert

Found on eBay, this barrel now belongs to Robert G. Milstein ’46, of Saratoga Springs, New York. He has no idea of its original purpose. It is 15 inches high. Harvard archivists Robin McElheny and Barbara Meloni think it looks like “a reunion prop,” maybe from the Depression era. Readers, any ideas?

The Harvard-Eleuthera connection, and a mystery barrel

Of philanthropy rewarded, broken glass, and pennies for Harvard

Headlines from Harvard history

Headlines from Harvard history