Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established in 1636, whose history, influence, and wealth have made it one of the world's most prestigious universities.
The University is organized into eleven separate academic units—ten faculties and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study—with campuses throughout the Boston metropolitan area: its 209-acre (85 ha) main campus is centered on Harvard Yard in Cambridge, approximately 3 miles (5 km) northwest of Boston; the business school and athletics facilities, including Harvard Stadium, are located across the Charles River in the Allston neighborhood of Boston and the medical, dental, and public health schools are in the Longwood Medical Area.
Here is a rare photo collection of Harvard University from Cambridge Historical Society that show Harvard University from between the 1850s to the 1880s.
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| Agassiz Museum, Oxford Street, 1855-65 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Boylston Hall, 1855-65 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Buckingham House, 1855-65 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Bylerly Hall from Cambridge Common, 1855-65 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Class Day Tree, 1855-65 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Gray's Hall, 1855-65 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Holden Chapel and Class Day Tree, 1855-65 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Lawrence Scientific School, 1855-65 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Littauer Center, 1855-65 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Massachusetts Hall, 1855-65 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Stoughton Hall, 1855-65 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Thayer Commons, 1855-65 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Massachusetts Hall interior, 1857-67 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Massachusetts Hall with First Parish Church, 1857-67 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Massachusetts Hall, 1859-69 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| College House showing Charles River Trust Co. and horse-drawn, 1860-70 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Dane Hall, 1861-71 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Gore Hall interior, 1861-71 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Stoughton Hall with students, 1861-71 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Dane Hall, 1864-74 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Students in Harvard Yard, 1864-74 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| University Hall, 1864-74 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Appleton Chapel, 1865-75 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Botanic Gardens, 1865-75 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Boylston Hall, 1865-75 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| College Grounds, 1865 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Dane Hall, 1865-75 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Divinity Hall, 1865-75 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Gore Hall, 1865-75 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Massachusetts Hall, 1865-75 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Matthews Hall, 1865-75 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Stoughton Hall in winter, 1865-75 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Stoughton Hall, 1865-75 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Thayer Commons, 1865-75 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| The Yard from Boylston, 1865-75 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| University Hall, 1865 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Wadsworth House (Bursar's Office), 1865 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Wadsworth House (Bursar's Office), 1865-75 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Dane Hall showing Fairbanks Standard City Scales, 1866-76 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Hollis, Stoughton, and Holworthy Halls across yard, 1866-76 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Massachusetts Hall, 1866-76 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| University Hall, 1866-76 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| View of Harvard Hall and Holden Chapel from the Common in winter, 1866-76 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Massachusetts Hall, 1867-77 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Matthews Hall, 1867-77 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Stoughton Hall with students, 1867-77 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Thayer Hall, 1867-77 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Gore Hall interior, 1868-78 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Group at Thayer Commons, 1871 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Appleton Chapel, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Boylston Hall, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Class of 1875 Gate, 1875 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Dane Hall, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Divinity Hall, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Felton Hall, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Gore Hall interior, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Johnson Gate, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Massachusetts Hall and First Parish Church with students, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Matthews Hall, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Meyer Gate, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Sever Hall, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Stoughton Hall, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Thayer Hall, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| The Yard Looking North in Winter, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| The Yard Looking South, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| University Museum, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Weld Hall, 1875-85 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Gray's Hall, 1887 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Harvard College Arch, 1887 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| Massachusetts Avenue Entrance, 1887 |
Historical Photos Show Harvard University in the Second Half of 19th Century
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| University Hall, 1887 |