Here, granite tells a story. The Chelmsford white granite of Littauer Center whispers tales of Harvard’s past. Constructed in 1938 Littauer Center stands as a testament to enduring architecture.
Littauer Center. It began with a vision. Lucius N. Littauer a businessman and Harvard benefactor sought to improve public administration. His gift of two million dollars established Harvard’s Graduate School of Public Administration. He aimed to train wise leaders. Littauer’s generosity shaped the future.
Originally, Coolidge Shepley Bulfinch and Abbott designed Littauer Center. The same architects who used the Chelmsford white granite to construct University Hall designed Littauer Center. In 1939, the building was dedicated. The Christian Science Monitor reported Harvard’s dedication of its New Littauer Center on April 27 1939.
For years, Littauer Center housed the Graduate School of Public Administration. Now known as the Harvard Kennedy School of Government the school needed more space. In 1966 expansion plans were considered. Ultimately, the Kennedy School moved to Eliot Street in 1978-79.
Littauer Center has seen several renovations. In 1969, Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott designed new offices on a new mezzanine level. Crissman & Solomon Architects added seminar rooms in 1979. They added a mezzanine level above the double-height library.
Even the Fogg Art Fine Arts Library found a temporary home here. During its 2009 renovation, the library occupied space within Littauer Center. These minor changes allowed the library to continue serving students and faculty.
Today, Littauer Center houses Harvard’s Economics Department. Students fill its halls. Professors conduct research. The legacy of Lucius N. Littauer continues. His vision of training public leaders lives on through the work of the department.
Getting here is straightforward. Littauer is located at 1805 Cambridge Street. It sits just outside the gates on the North side of Harvard Yard. It’s next to the Science Center. From Harvard Square, a short walk north brings you to its light gray stone facade with columns.
The building also earned LEED Gold certification for its renovation of the Fine Arts Library. This demonstrates Harvard’s commitment to sustainability even within historic structures. The project focused on interior renovations. The goal was creating reading rooms and storage.
Consider the library within Littauer. Imagine researchers poring over texts. Sunlight streams through the windows. The quiet rustle of pages fills the air. It’s a space for learning discovery and intellectual exploration.
Littauer Center stands as a symbol. It represents Harvard’s dedication to education public service and architectural preservation. Its history is rich. Its purpose remains vital. As you stand before Littauer, reflect on the generations of scholars who have passed through its doors. Their work shapes the world and leaves its mark.