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Tozzer Anthropology Building
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Tozzer Anthropology Building
Tozzer Anthropology Building

Tozzer Anthropology Building

Address21, Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA, United States of America, 02138
Site Number696
Alternate Names Tozzer Library
Building Root Number 04934
Architect (Original)
Architect (Renewal)
Constructed 1974
Building Acquired 1974
Renewed 2013
StatusActive
Site Name HistoryThe site is named for Harvard anthropologist and archaeologist Alfred Marston Tozzer (1877– 1954) who studied Mesoamerican cultures.Historical NotesThe Tozzer Building was originally designed by Boston-based Johnson and Hodvelt in 1974. It was designed to house books and items from the Peabody Museum’s collection, and is named for retired anthropology professor Alfred Marston Tozzer. Funding for the construction was provided by the Tozzer family, a bequest from Francis Boyer, and the Program for Science in Harvard College.

In 2014, Tozzer Library underwent a major renovation as part of a larger effort to co-locate several sub-disciplines within the Anthropology Department. Kennedy Violich Architects of Boston were the architects. The building was taken down to its steel frame and foundation, and was rebuilt with a new exterior envelope and interior design. Collection space was reduced to make room for new study areas.

The renovation was a finalist for the 2020 Harleston Parker Award from the Boston Society of Architects.

Additional Information
Francis Boyer Quadrangle
Patel, Dev A. and Watros, Steven R. “Anthropology Library Reopens.” The Harvard Crimson, 26 Sept. 2014, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2014/9/26/tozzer-library-remodeled-anthropology/.
Jacobs, Nehama. “Construction to Begin on New Library.” The Harvard Crimson, 10 May 1973, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1973/5/10/construction-to-begin-on-new-library/.
Weeks, John M. “Data Base: Tozzer Library: A ‘National’ Library for Anthropology in the United States.” Current Anthropology, vol. 28, no. 1, [University of Chicago Press, Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research], 1987, pp. 133–37.
“Harvard Goes Green with Historic Library Renovation.” Construction Specifier, Sept. 2016, https://www.constructionspecifier.com/harvard-goes-green-with-historic-library-renovation/.
“Revitalizing Tozzer.” Harvard Magazine, Oct. 2012, https://harvardmagazine.com/2012/11/revitalizing-tozzer.
Harvard University Archives. Construction Management Records, ca. 1953-1986. Harvard University Archives call number UAV 298.8000
Ian Volner. 2015. "Tozzer Anthropology Building Cambridge, Mass. Kennedy & Violich Architecture." Architect 104 (8): 90-.
Records of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology Library. Harvard University Archives call number UAV 677.150.22.9.
Tozzer Library Building Archive, 1955-1999. Tozzer Library call number Z664.T69 T69 1955x.
General Information by and about Tozzer Library. Harvard University Archives call number HUB 1846.2.
Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Tozzer Library, Peabody Museum, Harvard University. Cambridge, Mass., 1973. Available at multiple locations. Consult HOLLIS for details.
Tozzer Library. Annual Report. Cambridge, Mass., 1979-2004. Tozzer Library call number Z733.T69 T69 FOLIO.
2016 winner of an Honor Award for Design Excellence by the Boston Society of Architects.
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