Class of 1890 Gate
AddressHarvard Yard, Cambridge, MA, 02138
Site Number2019
Alternate Names
Dexter Gate
Building Root Number
N/A
PIRC Site Number 2019
Historic CAPS Identifier 107
PIRC Site Number 2019
Historic CAPS Identifier 107
Architect (Original)
McKim, Mead & White
Honoree
Samuel Dexter
Sponsor / Donor (Original)
Mrs. Wirt Dexter
Constructed
1901
Building Acquired 1901
Building Acquired 1901
StatusActive
Site Name HistoryThe site is named for the Class of 1890 and for Samuel Dexter who had been the president of the class.Historical NotesThe Class of 1890 Gate was erected in 1901 from funds raised by the Class of 1890 with Josephine Dexter as the primary benefactor. Her son, Samuel Dexter had been the class president. It is inscribed with the following: Enter to grow in wisdom; Depart better to serve thy country and thy kind; In memory of Samuel Dexter, Class of 1890 - Born in Chicago, Nov. 30, 1867; Died in Boston, May 4, 1894.
Additional Information
Harvard University. "Official Guide to Harvard University, Edited by the Harvard Memorial Society." The University, 1907.
"The New Harvard Gates Dedicated." Cambridge Chronicle. 29 Jun 1901, p. 12.
Swan, Walter Dana. "The Harvard Memorial Gates." The Architectural Review, June 1901, p.61-65, plate XLIII.
Kamin, Blair. Gates of Harvard Yard. New York, Princeton Architectural Press, 2016.
Olsson, Marie Louise. Harvard Views, Consisting of Yard Views, Buildings, Gates: a Guide . J. F. Olsson & Co., 1914.
“A Review of Beautiful and Historic Cambridge: Outside Setting of Nation’s Rarest Educational Gem.” Cambridge Tribune, 28 Apr. 1923, p. 6.
