On the south side of Johnston Gate, Massachusetts Hall is the oldest building on the Harvard campus, dating from 1720. Originally it was a dormitory building, home to 64 students. During the War of Independence, it was occupied (and much damaged) by revolutionary militiamen. Nowadays, it houses the offices of the President of the University and is not open to the public.

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Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Harvard Hall

0.03 MILES

On the north side of Johnston Gate, Harvard Hall is one of the two oldest buildings on campus, dating to 1766. (The other is Massachusetts Hall, directly…

2. John Harvard Statue

0.06 MILES

The centerpiece of Harvard Yard is this sculpture by Daniel Chester French, known as the `statue of three lies'. John Harvard was the university's first…

3. Harvard Yard

0.07 MILES

Harvard University was originally founded here in 1636, and Harvard Yard remains the historic and geographic heart of the university campus. Flanked by…

4. Harvard University

0.1 MILES

America's oldest college, Harvard University is one of the country's most prestigious universities. It was originally founded in Harvard Yard in 1636 by…

5. Smith Campus Center

0.13 MILES

After a massive overhaul, the Smith Campus Center has been transformed into a fabulous 'living room' for students and visitors to congregate, study,…

6. Christ Church

0.13 MILES

Cambridge’s oldest church was designed in 1761 by America’s first formally trained architect, Peter Harrison (who also designed King’s Chapel in Boston)…

8. Cambridge Common

0.17 MILES

Opposite the main entrance to Harvard Yard, Cambridge Common is the village green where General Washington took command of the Continental Army on July 3,…

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