Cambridge Tour
Memorial Hall / Sanders Theatre
Memorial Hall, completed in 1878, honors Harvard alumni who died fighting for the Union in the Civil War. The building’s stained-glass windows by Tiffany and La Farge depict the Massachusetts regiments, and its grand Gothic Revival architecture is capped with a 200-foot tower. Sanders Theatre, inside, features Victorian design and superb acoustics and hosts performances and academic ceremonies.
Memorial Hall reflects Harvard’s complex history with the Civil War, commemorating Union soldiers and supporting the abolitionist cause. Its role as a memorial and a cultural venue highlights the university’s transformation from a colonial institution into a hub of American intellectualism and values tied to national unity and social justice.
John Harvard Statue
The statue of John Harvard, erected in 1884 in Harvard Yard, has become a symbol of the university. Often called the “Statue of Three Lies” due to historical inaccuracies, it has been the site of protests, student pranks, and social movements over the years.
The John Harvard statue is frequently involved in student demonstrations, symbolizing both the admiration and critique of Harvard’s influence. It has been dressed up or defaced during protests, reflecting the university’s complex role in society. The statue represents the university’s blend of tradition, academic authority, and its students’ call for progress and reform.
Harvard Yard
The oldest part of Harvard University, Harvard Yard includes historic buildings like University Hall, where students staged a major protest in 1969 demanding the university cut ties with companies involved in the Vietnam War. The protest led to a famous occupation of University Hall.
Harvard Yard has been a focal point of student activism for decades, symbolizing the power of student voices in shaping university policies and societal values. The 1969 protest became a national story, highlighting the role of university campuses in anti-war and social justice movements, with Harvard Yard at the center of the action.
The Pit
Created during the Red Line extension project in the 1980s, The Pit is a sunken plaza that serves as a popular meeting spot in Harvard Square. Street performers, students, and local activists use the space to gather and perform, attracting a diverse crowd.
The Pit embodies the Square’s free-spirited nature and its role as a public space for free expression. It has hosted protests, political demonstrations, and impromptu performances, making it a symbol of community activism and public discourse, especially for youth and countercultural movements.
Club Passim (Formerly Club 47)
Originally opened as Club 47 in 1958, this folk music club became a major site for the folk music revival, featuring artists like Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. It provided a stage for politically charged music that often addressed civil rights, anti-war themes, and social justice.
Club Passim highlights Harvard Square’s connection to the folk music movement and its commitment to social causes. The club’s blending of art and activism helped galvanize public sentiment on issues like racial equality and the Vietnam War, establishing it as a cultural and political landmark in the Square.
Brattle Theatre
Founded in 1953, the Brattle Theatre is an independent cinema known for showing classic, foreign, and avant-garde films. During the 1960s and 70s, it screened films that explored themes of resistance, civil disobedience, and cultural critique.
The Brattle Theatre helped shape Harvard Square’s identity as a center for intellectual engagement and alternative culture. By showcasing films that questioned societal norms and government actions, the theater provided a platform for critical thinking and debate, reinforcing the Square’s reputation as a hub for progressive thought.
First Parish in Cambridge (Unitarian Universalist)
Established in 1636, First Parish has a long history of progressive activism, supporting abolitionism in the 19th century and LGBTQ+ rights in recent decades. The church regularly hosts events focused on immigration reform, racial justice, and climate action.
First Parish is a testament to Harvard Square’s commitment to social and moral advocacy. From its early support of anti-slavery causes to its modern work in racial and social justice, the church embodies the Square’s intersection of faith and activism, providing a space for community support and progressive action.
Cambridge Common
This public park near Harvard Yard has served as a gathering place for protests and celebrations since the American Revolutionary War. In 1775, George Washington took command of the Continental Army here. In the 1960s, it became a site for civil rights rallies and anti-war demonstrations.
Cambridge Common’s history as a gathering place for revolutionary and activist causes connects Harvard Square’s colonial roots to its modern role as a site for social change. From Washington’s troops to anti-Vietnam War protests, it has continually hosted those seeking justice and societal progress.
Longfellow House – Washington’s Headquarters
Built in 1759, this Georgian mansion served as General George Washington’s headquarters during the Siege of Boston in 1775–1776. Later, it was home to poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who supported abolitionism and hosted abolitionist gatherings here.
The Longfellow House represents both the revolutionary and abolitionist roots of Harvard Square. Washington’s use of the house ties it to the fight for American independence, while Longfellow’s support for abolitionism reflects the Square’s longstanding commitment to social justice and intellectual freedom.
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