Records of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of Harvard College, 1886-1887, 1894
Overview
The records document the 250th anniversary celebration of the founding of Harvard College, also known as the “Harvard Jubilee,” held on November 5 through 8, 1886. Materials include circular letters, seating plans, advertisements, expense reports, speeches, badges, admission tickets, invitations, registration cards, circular letters, event programs, and letters which highlight the organizational and planning stages of the celebration and demonstrate the University-wide effort to realize a successful anniversary celebration.
Dates
- Creation: 1886-1887, 1894
Creator
- Harvard University. Corporation (Organization)
Researcher Access
Open for research.
Extent
3.39 cubic feet (7 flat boxes, 2 pamphlet binders, 1 accordion folder, 1 portfolio folder)The records document the 250th anniversary celebration of the founding of Harvard College. Materials include circular letters, seating plans, advertisements, expense reports, speeches, badges, admission tickets, invitations, registration cards, circular letters, event programs, and letters which highlight the organizational and planning stages of the celebration and demonstrate the University-wide effort to realize a successful anniversary celebration. Many of the records in this collection were compiled by Justin Winsor, Harvard University Librarian, for inclusion in a report on the celebration entitled A Record of the Commemoration, November Fifth to Eighth, 1886, on the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of Harvard College.
Historical note
The 250th anniversary of the founding of Harvard College, also known as the “Harvard Jubilee,” was celebrated from November 5 through 8, 1886. During the first day of the celebration (Law School Day) Harvard Law School graduates held a reunion for the first time and formed the Harvard Law School Association to advance legal education, to promote the interests of the Harvard Law School, and to encourage fellowship among members. The second day of the celebration (Undergraduates’ Day) featured athletic events (boat races and a football game), literary exercises at the Sanders Theatre, a marching torchlight procession through Harvard Yard, and a fireworks display. The celebrations of the third day (Foundation Day) included historical sermons and addresses at Appleton Chapel and a concert given by the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Sanders Theatre. The fourth and final day (Alumni Day) featured the gathering of Harvard alumni at Gore Hall where honorary degrees were conferred by Harvard President Charles W. Eliot, a poem was read by Oliver Wendell Holmes, and an address was delivered by the President of the United States, Grover Cleveland.
Acquisition information
The documents in this collection are University records and were acquired in the course of University business. Whenever possible the archivist noted the terms of acquisition in the folder list below.
The acquisitions are as follows:
- 1906 January 30, Harvard College Library
- 1933 February 8, Samuel Eliot Morison
- 1934 August 30, Matthew Bartlett
- 1936 August, Lois M. Howe
References
- "250th Anniversary of the Foundation of Harvard College, from Friday the 5th, to Monday the 8th of November." The Harvard Crimson, November 4, 1886.
- "Harvard’s Jubilee. Plans for the Celebration of Her 250th Birthday in November." Boston Daily Advertiser, June 3, 1886, volume 147, issue 23875, p. 4.
- King, Moses. The Harvard anniversary handbook, 1636-1886. Boston: Rand Avery Company, Printers, 1886.
- King, Moses. The Harvard anniversary handbook, 1636-1886. Boston: Rand Avery Company, Printers, 1886.
- Winsor, Justin, ed. A Record of the Commemoration, November Fifth to Eight, 1886, on the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of Harvard College. Cambridge, Massachusetts: John Wilson and Son, University Press, 1887.
- Winsor, Justin, ed. A Record of the Commemoration, November Fifth to Eight, 1886, on the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of Harvard College. Cambridge, Massachusetts: John Wilson and Son, University Press, 1887.
General note
This document last updated 2015 January 30.
General note
People
- Winsor, Justin, 1831-1897.
- Lee, Henry, 1817-1898.
- Eliot, Charles William, 1834-1926.
General note
Groups
- Harvard University.
- Harvard University. Corporation.
- University of Cambridge.
General note
Topics
- Harvard University -- Centennial celebration, etc.
- Harvard University -- Anniversaries, etc.
- Harvard University -- Alumni and alumnae.
- Harvard University -- History -- 19th century.
- Harvard University -- Academic costume.
- Harvard University -- Students.
- Harvard Law School. Association (1886- )
- Autographs -- Collections.
General note
Formats and genres
- Wafers.
- Seals.
- Harvard objects.
- Scrapbooks.
- Badges.
- Admission tickets.
- Programs (documents)
- Circular letters.
- Speeches (documents)
- Identifying cards.
- Signatures (names)
Processing Information
This inventory was created in April 2014 by Dominic P. Grandinetti from a cursory inspection of the material and a variety of information sources. In some cases, titles were devised by the archivist.
Creator
- Harvard University. Corporation (Organization)
- Title
- Harvard University. Corporation. Records of the Two Hundred and Fiftieth Anniversary of the Founding of Harvard College, 1886-1887, 1894 : an inventory
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- hua21014
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository
Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.
Pusey Library
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Cambridge MA 02138 USA
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archives_reference@harvard.edu