Biological Laboratory
Address16, Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA, United States of America, 02138
Site Number311
Building Root Number
04325
Architect (Original)
Coolidge, Shepley, Bulfinch, and Abbott
Constructed
1931
Building Acquired 1931
Building Acquired 1931
StatusActive
Site Name HistoryThe site is named after its function.Historical NotesThe Biological Laboratory was built for Harvard in 1931 and funded by the General Education Board. It was design by Coolidge Shepley Bulfinch and Abbott of Boston. Sculptor Katherine Lane Weems provided the carved frieze on the upper brick facing, the rhinoceroses at the entrance and the silhouette sculpture of the main doors.Additional Information
“Harvard Biology Building May Be Begun in Spring: Project Will Cost $6,000,000 and Drive for Funds Is On.” New York Herald Tribune, 26 Jan. 1929, p. 6.
“Harvard to Start Building in Fall: University Expects Biological Laboratory to Have Best Facilities in America.” New York Times, 1930, p. N3.
“Harvard Starts Work in Fall On Laboratory: Two Wings of Building for Biological Research to Exceed 600 Feet in Length Modern Georgian Plant To House Botany, Physiology, Biology, Zoology Classes.” New York Herald Tribune, 13 July 1930, p. A9.
“Harvard University to Start Biological Laboratory in Fall.” Cambridge Tribune, 21 June 1930, p. 4.
“Harvard Plans Huge Biology Institute.” Cambridge Chronicle, 1 Feb. 1929, p. 12.
“Harvard to Erect New Biological Laboratory.” Cambridge Chronicle, 27 June 1930, p. 2.
Weber, Paul J. Photographs of Harvard University Buildings and Grounds Taken by Paul J. Weber, Ca. 1929-1931 and 1939. Harvard University Archives call number HUV 2329
Bio Labs: [2 Photo Albums]. Harvard University Archives call number HUD214.531.5 pas 152.
Harvard University Archives. Construction Management Records, ca. 1953-1986. Harvard University Archives call number UAV 298.8000
Records of the Biological Laboratories, 1931-1969. Harvard University Archives call number UAV 214.
Williams, Carrol M. The Jubilee of the Harvard Biological Laboratories : Retrospections. Cambridge, Mass., 1982.
General Information by and about the Biological Laboratories. Harvard University Archives call number HUB 1213.2.
Maycock, Susan E., and Charles Sullivan. Building old Cambridge: architecture and development. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 2016. Print. Lamont Library call number NA735.C28 M39 2016; Loeb Design Library call number NA735.C28 M39 2016.
This building has been designated by the University Planning Office as having a Notable Interior.