Divinity Hall
Address14, Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA, United States of America, 02138
Site Number785
Building Root Number
02315
Architect (Original)
Solomon Willard
Building Acquired
1826
Constructed 1826
Constructed 1826
StatusActive
Site Name HistoryThe site is named for the Harvard Divinity School.Historical NotesDivinity Hall was the first academic building erected by Harvard outside of Harvard Yard. Completed in 1826 to plans by Solomon Willard. It has been in continuous use by the Divinity School since its construction, and through its history has held an evolving array of uses including classrooms, offices, a chapel and student living quarters. During World War I the building housed activities related to the United States Naval Radio School, which occupied a portion of Harvard's campus from 1917 to 1919.The building was funded by subscription through the Society for Promoting Theological Education in addition to university funds.
Additional Information
Divinity Hall. Buildings Records for Divinity Hall: Plans for Changes in Chapel, 1904. (1904) Harvard University Archives call number UAV 328.404.pf
“Theological Institution.” Boston Patriot and Daily Chronicle, 6 July 1825, p. 2.
“Theological School.” Christian Register, 9 July 1925, p. 2.
Harvard University Archives. General information by and about Divinity Hall, Harvard University Archives call number HUB 1327.2.
Bell, Chris. Who are these guys? : the honorary plaques of the Emerson Chapel Divinity Hall, Harvard Divinity School. Harvard-Andover Theological Library call number Pamph. collection no. 1000259.
Construction project planning and proposal records re library and Andover Hall, 1971-1994, Harvard University Archives call number Accession 14977.
Divinity Hall.. Records of the occupants and furniture of Divinity Hall, 1869-1881, Harvard University call number UAV 328.369.
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.
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
Hurlbut, Byron Satterlee. A Guide Book to the Grounds and Buildings of Harvard University. Cambridge: U, 1898. Print.
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places September 12, 1986. National Register Information System ID: 86002071
2000 winner of the William D. Smith Memorial Award by the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board.
This building has been designated by the University Planning Office as having a Notable Interior.