Campus & Community

375th: A look back

4 min read

This academic year, Harvard celebrated the 375th anniversary of the founding of Harvard College in 1636. To mark this milestone, the University launched a yearlong series of programs and activities, beginning with a celebration in Harvard Yard in October. The anniversary year also included a full program of events throughout the year that characterized the lively, intellectual exchanges that flourish at Harvard. These included academic events, lectures, symposia, and exhibits. Harvard also launched a series of initiatives to recognize the University’s enduring legacy, including Harvard Stories, a mobile tour of Harvard Yard, and “Explore Harvard: The Yard and Beyond,” a book of Harvard photography.

Banners hanging in Tercentenary Theatre proclaim Harvard’s 375th anniversary. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Peter Girguis, John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Natural Sciences, is an expert in deep sea microbes. An exhibit focusing on his work is displayed at Harvard Museum of Natural History. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Workers paint 375 on the turf at Harvard Stadium to celebrate the University’s 375th anniversary. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Chef Joanne Chang ’91 assembles the red velvet cake that will serve 4,000 people at Harvard’s 375th celebration in Tercentenary Theatre. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard students Stephanie Wang ’12 (from left), Kefhira Pintoi ’12, Raafi Alidina ’12, and Alan Montelongo ’12 blow up balloons in preparation for Harvard’s 375th anniversary celebration. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
The veritas shield and 375 logo decorate an ice sculpture inside one of the tents in Tercentenary Theatre as Harvard celebrates its 375th year. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Jasdeep Randhawa ’13 (left) and Divya Dhar ’13 (center) are all smiles as they finally get served ice cream after a long wait during Harvard’s 375th anniversary celebration in Tercentenary Theatre. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Lizabeth Cohen, Howard Mumford Jones Professor of American Studies and dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, holds a giant knife aloft after cutting the cake during the 375th anniversary celebration in Tercentenary Theatre. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs during the 375th celebration of Harvard University. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Rena Fonseca, director of executive education at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, attends the opening of the Harvard Innovation Lab. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard Thinks Green: Six professors speak for 10 minutes each about the environment, from the vantage point of their respective fields, at Sanders Theatre. Speakers include Eric Chivian, Rebecca Henderson, Robert Kaplan, Richard Lazarus, James McCarthy, and Christoph Reinhart. Jon Chase/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard University President Drew Faust presents “Telling War Stories: Reflections of a Civil War Historian” at the Cambridge Public Library as part of the John Harvard Book Celebration series. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Snow falls on the John Harvard Statue while 375th signs decorate Harvard Yard. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard Graduate School of Design student Trude Renwick (pictured) skates on the ice installed in front of Harvard’s Science Center for students and members of the community to enjoy throughout the winter months. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Harvard University President Drew Faust presents “Telling War Stories: Reflections of a Civil War Historian” at the Boston Public Library as part of the John Harvard Book Celebration series. Rose Lincoln/Harvard Staff Photographer
Henry A. Kissinger, who served as national security adviser and secretary of state during the Nixon and Ford administrations, is a featured speaker in Sanders Theatre as part of the 375th anniversary celebration. Kissinger (from left), Graham Allison, and Drew Faust talk in the green room. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Emma Beaumont-Smith (from center) and her mother, Natalie Beaumont-Smith (green jacket) of the Office of Work/Life Resources, enter the 2012 Green Carpet Awards inside Sanders Theatre. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer
Historian Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz explores Harvard University’s relationship with women, which she describes as complicated. Her review begins with the University’s founding 375 years ago, when Harvard excluded women as students and teachers. Charles Rosenberg (from left), Drew Faust, and Horowitz listen during the introductory comments in Radcliffe Gymnasium. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Students perform in Agassiz Theatre during a dress rehearsal for the Poetry Project, led by Jorie Graham, to be performed during the Arts First weekend at Harvard University. The students collectively recite a verse by e.e. cummings. Stephanie Mitchell/Harvard Staff Photographer
Miguel Espejo, from Harvard Custodial Services, uses rainwater to wash Harvard Shuttles decorated with the 375th logo. Kris Snibbe/Harvard Staff Photographer