University Hall, Harvard University
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
U.S. National Historic Landmark
U.S. Historic district Contributing property
University Hall, east facade.
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Location	Cambridge, Massachusetts
Coordinates	42°22′28.0″N71°7′1.4″W / 42.374444°N 71.117056°W /42.374444; -71.117056
Built	1813–1815
Architect	Charles Bulfinch
Architectural style	Colonial Revival,Federal
Part of	Old Harvard Yard (ID73000287)
NRHP reference No.	70000736[1]
Significant dates
Added to NRHP	December 30, 1970
Designated NHL	December 30, 1970
Designated CP	February 6, 1973

University Hall is a white granite building designed by the great early American architectCharles Bulfinch and built by the noted early engineerLoammi Baldwin Jr. It is located inHarvard Yard on the campus ofHarvard University inCambridge, Massachusetts. It was designated aNational Historic Landmark in 1970 for its architectural significance.^[2]

The hall was designed by Bulfinch, class of 1781, and built between 1813 and 1815 of whiteChelmsford granite, probably using rock cut to size at theCharlestown 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 theCommonwealth 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 massiveportico 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 1924Daniel Chester French's bronzestatue of John Harvard was moved to the western façade from its original location nearMemorial Hall.

In protest of theVietnam War and Harvard's connections to it, students occupied University Hall on the night of April 8 to 9, 1969, forcing out Harvard officials and staff. In the early morning hours of April 10 the occupiers were ejected and some 100 to 300 persons arrested; about 50 were injured. Students camped on the lawn outside University Hall for brief periods in 2020 and 2024, related tofossil fuel divestment and theGaza war, respectively.

• List of National Historic Landmarks in Massachusetts
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Wikimedia Commons has media related toUniversity Hall.

• School buildings completed in 1815
• Harvard University buildings and structures
• National Historic Landmarks in Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Charles Bulfinch buildings
• Harvard Square
• University and college buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Massachusetts
• Historic district contributing properties in Massachusetts
• 1815 establishments in Massachusetts
• National Register of Historic Places in Cambridge, Massachusetts

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