Cambridge

Memorial Hall

Memorial Hall, the best example of John Ruskin influenced Gothic revival architecture in the United States. Designed by two Harvard men, William Ware and Henry Van Brunt, the building is completely secular. Despite its cathedral appearance, the ground was never consecrated; there are no religious icons. Memorial Hall commemorates Harvard's Civil War dead, on the Union side only. Construction began in 1870 and took seven years. Originally, the Hall was used for dinning (1874-1925), its Sanders theater for concerts, performances, and Commencement. Today, Harvard's doctorate receive their Ph.D.s here, and first year students who live in Harvard yard are once again dinning in the nine-thousand square foot Hall. There are statues, paintings, battle flags, and stain glass windows throughout the building. The exterior view on the north side facing Kirkland street has been completely spoiled by the construction of new facilities.

Yale University Library and Sociology Department. The Social Life of Cities.
This Page Last Modified: February 7, 1997
Copyright 1996-97, Yale University. All rights reserved.

URL is http://www.yale.edu/socdept/slc