Memorial Hall, Harvard University Windows - Cambridge, MA
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NorStar
N 42° 22.535 W 071° 06.904
19T E 325865 N 4693644
Many of the stained glass windows mounted within Memorial Hall at Harvard University were made by many artists and depict various figures in war, history and other sources.
Waymark Code: WM86NH
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 02/07/2010
Views: 7
In Cambridge, on the campus of Harvard University, is a large gothic-revival building called Memorial Hall. This building has many stained-glass windows mounted on it. Unfortunately, only those in the central portion of the building, called the Transept, are easily visible to the public. Many of the other stained-glass windows are in a large dining hall, called Annenburg Hall, that is only accessible by university staff and used in private functions, or in Sanders Theatre, which is only accessible during an event. Thus, this posting will concentrate on the Transept windows. However, there is also a link with information about the other windows.
The windows are located at the south and north ends of the central hall. The web page from Harvard University describes these windows. The site first states that since the windows were designed by many people, including John LaFarge, and many techniques were used, that the hall the collection could be considered a museum of stained-glass windows. These windows were installed between 1879 and 1902 and were gifts of various alumni classes.
The south and north transept windows are compound structures with many panes and images. There is generally a circular window flanked near its bottom with two smaller circles, enclosed in arches. Below these are a row of four-petalled windows (rosettes), then, below them, are five tall-thin windows (lancets).
The artist for the south window complex was done by Sarah Wyman Whitman in 1898. The panes represent "Knight, St. Martin and the Beggar, Inscription, Sindney at Zutphen, Scholar," and it was given in memory of those who lost their lives during the Civil War, whose names are recorded on stone tablets in the hall. The artist wanted the window to represent the things that inspired the soldier to battle. The knight represents love of country, while the scholar represents love of the university. Cherubs above them in the rosettes hold scripts with the names of virtues. Above are angels singing praises for their deeds. The web page provides more details.
The artist for the north window was done by Donald MacDonald in 1874. This window is mainly designs with words integrated into the designs. In each of the rosettes is the word "Veritas" (which is usually included in the shield of Harvard University.). Each of the lancets have two words on them, different in each pane.
These are well worth the trip to take. Parking is difficult. There is street parking and a parking garage not very far.
For more information:
Harvard University (Memorial Hall/Lowell Hall Complex):
(
visit link)