National Historic Landmark

University Hall, Harvard University

Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
Listed
December 29, 1970
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
70000736

About this property

University Hall is a white granite building designed by the great early American architect Charles Bulfinch and built by the noted early engineer Loammi Baldwin Jr. It is located in Harvard Yard on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970 for its architectural significance. The hall was designed by Bulfinch, class of 1781, and built between 1813 and 1815 of white Chelmsford granite, probably using rock cut to size at the Charlestown Prison. It consists of a partial basement story, plus three full stories raised above ground as well as an additional story set within the roofline. The long east and west facades are very similar, and symmetrically arranged with two entrances per facade, each flanked by pilasters; smaller north and south facades present rows of windows. Total construction cost was $65,000 of which $53,000 was paid by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. University Hall's first floor contained the College Commons (dining room) until 1849. The building also contained a library and philosophical (scientific) apparatus, as well as a chapel within the second and third floors. A massive portico with stone pillars was added to the western facade soon after completion, but removed in 1842. In 1849 the first floor was partitioned into classrooms; in 1867 the chapel was partitioned as well. In 1896 the chapel was restored and used for meetings of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. In 1924 Daniel Chester French's bronze statue of John Harvard was moved to the western façade from its original location near Memorial Hall.

Location

Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts
42.37450, -71.11710

Categories

ARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Nearby Historic Sites

Massachusetts Hall, Harvard University
Industrial
0.1 mi
Building at 10 Follen Street
Industrial
0.1 mi
Sever Hall, Harvard University
Industrial
0.1 mi
Porcellian Club
Industrial
0.1 mi
Harvard Square Historic District
Listed
0.1 mi

Nearby Battles

Siege of Boston – Cambridge Lines
1775Revolutionary War
0.4 mi

Questions about this property

When was University Hall, Harvard University listed on the National Register?

University Hall, Harvard University was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 29, 1970.

What type of historic resource is University Hall, Harvard University?

University Hall, Harvard University is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is University Hall, Harvard University a National Historic Landmark?

Yes. University Hall, Harvard University has been designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), the highest level of federal recognition for historic properties in the United States.

What is the period of significance for University Hall, Harvard University?

The period of significance for University Hall, Harvard University is recorded as the industrial era.

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