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Harvard Stadium
Access to material may be restricted.
Access to material may be restricted.

Harvard Stadium

Address79, North Harvard Street, Boston (Allston), MA, United States of America, 02134
Site Number859
Building Root Number 03910
Architect (Original)
Designer (Original)
Designer (Original) (American, 1866 - 1964)
Constructed 1903
Building Acquired 1903
StatusActive
Site Name HistoryThe site is named after its function.Historical NotesHarvard Stadium was completed in 1903, with modifications in the 1910s and 1920s. The structure is a designated National Historic Landmark, and is notable for its early use of monolithic reinforced concrete, its simple horseshoe shape, and its role in shaping the sport of American football. It is the oldest college football venue still in use. Construction of the Stadium was funded by the Harvard College class of 1879 and funds from the Athletic Committee. The building was constructed from funds provided by the Athletic Committee and the Class of 1879.
Additional Information
Harvard Stadium. “General Information by and about Harvard Stadium.” Harvard University Archives call number HUB 1448.807 and HUB 3807.2
Kriss, Ronald P. “The Classic Gridiron Marks Its Golden Jubilee.” The Harvard Crimson, 24 Oct. 1953, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1953/10/24/the-classic-gridiron-marks-its-golden/.
Park, Eunice C. “History Fills Harvard Stadium.” The Harvard Crimson, 25 Oct. 1996, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1996/10/25/history-fills-harvard-stadium-pwith-renovation/.
“Steeling the Stadium.” The Harvard Crimson, 6 Feb. 1929, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1929/2/6/steeling-the-stadium-palthough-plans-have/.
Natanson, Hannah. “Right on Through the Ball Game.” The Harvard Crimson, 17 Nov. 2016, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/11/17/harvard-stadium-history/.
Lottman, Michael S. “Nation’s Oldest Stadium Has Colorful Past.” The Harvard Crimson, 7 Nov. 1959, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1959/11/7/nations-oldest-stadium-has-colorful-past/.
Zobel, Hiller B. “Stadium Steel Grandstands Will Be Torn Down Shortly.” The Harvard Crimson, 13 Mar. 1952, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1952/3/13/stadium-steel-grandstands-will-be-torn/.
“Steel Stands to Fill Open End of Stadium.” Cambridge Tribune, 9 Feb. 1929, p. 4.
“Work on Harvard’s Stadium Being Rushed.” Boston Globe, 15 Sept. 1903, p. 2.
“Harvard’s Stadium to Be the Finest of Its Kind in This Country.” Boston Globe, 15 July 1903, p. 4.
“Temporary Stands to Close Stadium.” The Harvard Crimson, 27 Feb. 1929, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1929/2/27/temporary-stands-to-close-stadium-pcontrary/.
Fox, Henry H. “Methods of Construction of the Harvard Stadium.” Harvard Engineering Journal, vol. 3, no. 2, 1904, pp. 131–44.
Hollis, Ira Nelson. “Origin of the Harvard Stadium.” Harvard Engineering Journal, vol. 3, no. 2, 1904, pp. 91–108.
Johnson, Lewis J. “Materials and Design of the Harvard Stadium.” Harvard Engineering Journal, vol. 3, no. 2, 1904, pp. 109–30.
“The ‘Holliseum’: Harvard’s Wonderful New Stadium.” The Hartford Courant, 19 Nov. 1903, p. 13.
“The Steel-Concrete Work of the Harvard Stadium.1: Columns. Girders. Walls and Parapets. Discussion.” The American Architect and Building News, vol. 85, no. 1494, Aug. 1904, p. 51.
Harvard University Archives. Construction Management Records, ca. 1953-1986. Harvard University Archives call number UAV 298.8000
Harvard Stadium. Harvard Stadium Plans. (1900). Harvard University Archives call number HUB 3807.70 pf
Harvard University. Committee on the Regulation of Athletic Sports. Report to the President and Fellows on the Need for Enlarging the Stadium, 1928 January 30. (1928). Harvard University Archives call number UAI10.175.428
“Description of the Stadium.” The Harvard Crimson, 5 Oct. 1903, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1903/10/5/description-of-the-stadium-pit-is/.
“The Work on the Stadium.” The Harvard Crimson, 29 Sept. 1903, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1903/9/29/the-work-on-the-stadium-pwork/.
“Models and Plans of Stadium.” The Harvard Crimson, 6 Apr. 1903, https://www.thecrimson.com/article/1903/4/6/models-and-plans-of-stadium-pa/.
“Over the Drafting Board.” Architectural Record, vol. 11, no. 2, 1902, p. 115, usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1901-1902-07-04.pdf.
Smith, Howard Dwight. “The Ohio Stadium at Ohio State University.” Architectural Record, vol. 47, no. 5, 1920, pp. 385–406, usmodernist.org/AR/AR-1920-11.pdf.
HBS Archives Photograph Collection: Buildings and Grounds, 1908-2006. (1908). Baker Business Library Historical Collections call number Arch P1
“Photographic Views of Harvard Stadium, 1903-1954.” Harvard University Archives call number HUV 1331
Placed on the National Register of Historic Places February 27, 1987. National Register Information System ID: 87000757
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