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University Hall

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Harvard Yard.
  • University Hall (Peter Vanderwarker or Antonina Smith)

Holworthy Hall of 1811–1812 and University Hall of 1813–1815 established a new orientation for the campus. Loammi Baldwin, engineer of the Middlesex Canal (see WO5; 1803), designed and built Holworthy. Baldwin also supervised the construction of University Hall, but this time, Charles Bulfinch was retained as architect for the granite building with monumental Ionic pilasters flanking the two entrances. In addition to designing University Hall, Bulfinch developed at least three master plans, as Harvard's leaders, under President John Kirkland, recognized the need to consider future growth. University Hall was conceived to overlook the Old Yard while it also featured a fully detailed rear facade, anticipating another generation's campus building. The new hall included dining rooms, a chapel, classrooms, and the president's office. Constructed of Chelmsford granite, it was the first stone building on the campus.

Writing Credits

Author: 
Maureen Meister
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Data

What's Nearby

President Eliot's Dormitories
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Citation

Maureen Meister, "University Hall", [Cambridge, Massachusetts], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/MA-01-HY6.2.

Print Source

Cover: Buildings of Massachusetts

Buildings of Massachusetts: Metropolitan Boston, Keith N. Morgan, with Richard M. Candee, Naomi Miller, Roger G. Reed, and contributors. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2009, 317-318.

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