Photographic views of Winthrop House

John Winthrop House, established in 1931, is one of the student residential houses in Harvard University's house system. The two buildings that make up Winthrop House are Gore Hall and Standish Hall, which were both freshman dormitories before being incorporated into one administrative entity in 1931. Their naming and construction pre-date the creation of the house system at Harvard.

Gore and Standish Halls were built at the cost of $870,000 in 1914. Both are red brick structures with English Baroque details designed by the architectural firm Coolidge, Shepley and Rutan. Standish Hall was built with funds from the gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, who named the building for her ancestor, Captain Myles Standish, a settler who arrived on the Mayflower. Gore Hall was funded by gifts from several alumni and was named for Christopher Gore, Harvard College Class of 1776. Renovations and additions to convert the two dormitories into Winthrop House in 1931 cost $315,000 and were designed by Coolidge, Shepley, Bulfinch and Abbot.

The new House was named in honor of two men, both named John Winthrop. The first John Winthrop settled in Massachusetts in 1630 to lead the Massachusetts Bay Company. He became the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and served for sixteen years. The second John Winthrop, Class of 1732, is widely regarded as the first American astronomer. He was the Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy from 1738 until his death in 1779, and he served as acting president of Harvard College in 1769 and 1773. The Winthrop House crest is based on the Winthrop family coat of arms, and several portraits of the Winthrop family are displayed in the House dining hall and library.

Winthrop House residents observe several traditions, some that the whole House participates in and some that are limited to each class. The all-House traditions include the Arbella Ball in the spring, Winter Formal, a spring carnival called Thropstock, a monthly open house hosted by the Faculty Deans, and Stein Club, which organizes themed gatherings throughout the school year. The class traditions include a gathering with desserts for sophomores to meet their other classmates, a parents' weekend for juniors, and a masquerade ball hosted by the Faculty Deans for seniors. Winthrop House also hosts the Perini-Woods Senior Common Room Speaker Series, named to honor David B. Perini and Robert W. Woods, residents who both passed away in their twenties.

Notable past residents of Winthrop House include John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, Ben Bernanke, Lloyd Blankfein, Alan Keyes, Grover Norquist, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Barney Frank, Robert Rubin, and Amy Zegart.

Christopher Gore, namesake of Gore Hall (a residential building that forms part of Winthrop House) was a member of the Harvard College Class of 1776. He became a lawyer and politician. He established a successful law practice in Boston. In his political career he served as a delegate in the 1789 Massachusetts convention to ratify the United States Constitution, as United States District Attorney for Massachusetts, as a diplomat in Britain, as Governor of Massachusetts, and as a United States Senator.

A library building also named Gore Hall was built by a bequest from Gore, and it served as Harvard's library from 1841 until it was demolished in 1913 when Widener Library was constructed.

Harvard University's house system was established in 1930 by Harvard University President Abbott Lawrence Lowell with the goal of supplementing the students' education with intellectually, culturally, and socially stimulating living environments, as well as creating a sense of community among students. As of 2017, each of the houses accommodates between 350 and 500 students. During their first year, students inhabit dormitories in Harvard Yard. At the end of their first year, students are assigned to a House and live there through the end of their undergraduate career. Each House typically has a dining hall, common rooms, a library, and recreational spaces. Seven houses were created between 1930 and 1931, from a combination of re-dedication of existing buildings and new construction. Houses were added over the years to accommodate a growing student population. As of 2017, there are twelve residential houses for undergraduates and a single house, Dudley House, which serves as a community center for undergraduate commuters and residence for graduate students.