A Roman mosaic a sea goddess. That’s what greets you at the entrance of Morgan Hall. This isn’t just any building. It’s a piece of Harvard Business School history. Standing before you is Morgan Hall. Completed in 1927 it was part of the original McKim Mead & White campus plan. Back then it housed offices faculty and even accounting labs.
George F Baker funded this magnificent building. He named it to honor his friend JP Morgan a titan of US business. JP Morgan’s influence was immense. His firm became one of the world’s most powerful financial institutions. He rescued troubled companies. He orchestrated massive mergers like those that created General Electric and US Steel. He even bailed out the US Treasury during financial panics.
Morgan Hall underwent a major renovation from 1990 to 1992. Architect Moshe Safdie led the project. The renovation modernized the building. It significantly expanded its capacity. It also added a floor originally planned but never built. The renovations preserved Morgan’s graceful Georgian Revival style architecture. Now it boasts 164 L-shaped faculty offices with work areas for research assistants and support staff.
The central atrium is a highlight. Light wells run through the building. The Roman mosaic of Tethys is the focal point. It’s a stunning piece of history set into the floor. This building is more than just bricks and mortar. It represents ambition financial prowess and the enduring legacy of JP Morgan. It’s a place where history and modern scholarship meet. It’s a place where business legends are made. This is Morgan Hall a testament to a friendship and a lasting impact on the world of finance and academia.