Week 9: Harvard Faculty Club

 


https://www.universityevents.harvard.edu/venues/harvard-faculty-club

https://www.hfc.harvard.edu/about/history

The Harvard Faculty Club began in 1920 as a private club known as the Colonial Club. This was a private club in which only members who could pay the dues (mainly white men) could be a part of. In 1930 Harvard Cooperation bought the house, tore down and completely rebuilt it in a Georgian style and rebranded it as the Harvard Faculty Club. The requirements to belong changed slightly that decade in which all male faculty members could be a part of the club and other Harvard affiliates who would have to pay the dues. It was only in 1968 that women could be admitted to the club with full membership and only in 2009 when all faculty and students, not only academic professors or privileged students were allowed access.

This building represents the changing wealth and social dynamics within the Harvard community; both within the school and the surrounding area of Harvard Square. Throughout the twentieth century the places that women, people of color, and lower class citizens of Cambridge could go was limited. The history Harvard Faculty club is a direct representation of these very harsh limitations. Not only could one feel these social limitations but a physical, massive building stood as a reminder of the lack of these rights. The Harvard Faculty Club should be integrated as a Landmark site to serve as a reminder of the progress this country has made within the past 100 years and where not to revert back to.  

Citizens Petition:

1. Jayne Morley

2.  Caroline Behrens

3. Matt Bush

4. Ilana Kofman

5. Gina Ricciotti

6. Christian Anthopolous 

7. Shelly Lu

8. Chloe Provenzano

9. Charley Meier

10. Ilana Kofman

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