Memorial Hall

Story

Memorial Hall, immediately north of Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is an imposing High Victorian Gothic building honoring the sacrifices made by Harvard men in defense of the Union during the American Civil War"a symbol of Boston's commitment to the Unionist cause and the abolitionist movement in America."Built on a former playing field known as the Delta, it was described by Henry James as consisting ofJames' "three divisions" are known today as (respectively) Sanders Theatre; Annenberg Hall (formerly Alumni Hall or the Great Hall); and Memorial Transept. Beneath Annenberg Hall, Loker Commons offers a number of student facilities.Conception and constructionBetween 1865 and 1868 an alumni "Committee of Fifty" raised $370,000 toward a new building in memory of Harvard men who had fought for the Union in the American Civil War, particularly the 136 deada "Hall of Alumni in which students and graduates might be inspired by the pictured and sculpted presence of her founders, benefactors, faculty, presidents, and most distinguished sons." When, about the same time, a $40,000 bequest was received from Charles Sanders for "a hall or theatre to be used on public occasion connected with the College, whether literary or festive", a vision was formed of a single building containing a large theater as well as a large open hall, and thus meeting both goals.A site was found on the "Delta", the triangle bounded by Cambridge, Kirkland, and Quincy Streets. The project was formally named Memorial Hall in September 1870, and on October 6 the cornerstone was laid, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. composing a hymn for the occasion.