Langdell Hall
Address1545, Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA, United States of America, 02138
Site Number578
Alternate Names
Areeda Hall
Building Root Number
02514
Architect (Original)
Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge
Land Acquired
1855-1867
Constructed 1907
Building Acquired 1907
Dedicated 1929
Constructed 1907
Building Acquired 1907
Dedicated 1929
StatusActive
Site Name HistoryThe site is named for Christopher Columbus Langdell (1826-1906, A.B. 1851; LL.B. 1853). Langdell was the first dean of Harvard Law School. He is most known for the development of the case study method of legal education. The west wing of Langdell was renamed Areeda Hall in 1996 in honor of professor Phillip E. Areeda.Historical NotesLangdell Hall was constructed in two phases, the earlier south wing in 1907 and the later north and west wings in 1928-29. It was designed by the Boston firm of Shepley Rutan and Coolidge (later Coolidge Shepley Bulfinch and Abbott) as the main library for the Harvard Law School, a role it continues to serve today. The funding for the construction came from the Harvard Law School.Additional InformationGeneral Information by and about Langdell Hall. Harvard University Archives HUB 1510.2
Harvard University Archives. Construction Management Records, ca. 1953-1986. Harvard University Archives call number UAV 298.8000
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
Heskel, Julia. Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott: Past to Present. Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott, 1999.
Metcalf, Keyes Dewitt. Planning Acdemic and Research Library Buildings. McGraw Hill, 1965
“Opening of Langdell Hall.” The Harvard Crimson, 26 Sept. 1907, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1907/9/26/opening-of-langdell-hall-plangdell-hall/.
“Work Begun for New Law Building.” The Harvard Crimson, 11 May 1906, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1906/5/11/work-begun-for-new-law-building/.
“Main Work on Langdell Hall Finished.” The Harvard Crimson, 18 Mar. 1907, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1907/3/18/main-work-on-langdell-hall-finished/.
“Langdell Hall.” Cambridge Chronicle, 23 Mar. 1907.
“Dedicate Langdell Hall, Harvard Law School, Wednesday.” Cambridge Tribune, 28 Sept. 1929, p. 9.
“Plans for Addition to Langdell Hall.” Cambridge Chronicle, 6 July 1928, p. 14.
“Finest Law School Building in World Nears Completion.” Cambridge Tribune, 15 June 1929, p. 10.“Finest Law School Building in World Nears Completion.” Cambridge Tribune, 15 June 1929, p. 10.
“Langdell Hall at Harvard to Undergo Enlargement.” Cambridge Chronicle, 16 Dec. 1927.
“Langdell West Wing Renamed To Honor Areeda.” The Harvard Crimson, 27 Apr. 1996, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1996/4/27/langdell-west-wing-renamed-to-honor/.
“Langdell Hall as It Will Appear in 1929.” The Harvard Crimson, 27 Sept. 1928, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1928/9/27/langdell-hall-as-it-will-appear/.
“Construction of Additions to Langdell Hall Will Start Soon.” The Harvard Crimson, 17 May 1928, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1928/5/17/construction-of-additions-to-langdell-hall/.
“Langdell Hall to Undergo Changes.” The Harvard Crimson, 14 Dec. 1927, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1927/12/14/langdell-hall-to-undergo-changes-pplans/.
“Langdell Hall.” Cambridge Chronicle, 27 July 1907.
“Handsome in Design and Fittingly Named.” Boston Globe, 26 Sept. 1907, p. 11.
“Harvard’s New Law School Building.” Boston Globe, 3 May 1906, p. 6.
This building has been designated by the University Planning Office as having a Notable Interior.
Elihu Room
Caspersen Room
Areeda Hall
Fishman Room
Lemann Lounge