Amidst the prestigious and sprawling Harvard University campus is Harvard Yard. This popular and iconic campus attraction houses a number of the most historic structures in Cambridge.

By definition, Harvard Yard is the beautiful verdant space spanning an area of approximately 10 hectares or 25 acres found in the center of the university real estate. It is the most dated place in this esteemed Ivy League university and encompasses several of Harvard?s most antiquated structures which include administrative offices, academic buildings and dormitories.

The section of Harvard Yard called the Old Yard is located to the west and is made of the majority of the dormitories which house freshmen which include Massachusetts Hall constructed in 1720 and is considered to be the most ancient of all academic structures in the entire United States. The offices of the Harvard University?s president are located on the lowest levels of this historic building.

A stone?s throw away from Massachusetts Hall is Harvard Hall which was reconstructed in 1766 after a conflagration destroyed it. The building formerly contained Harvard University?s cavernous library, but currently, it holds a number of classrooms. Standing in close proximity is University Hall which is a popular venue of several of the protests and student demonstrations which took place within the university campus during the violent last few years of the 1960s.

Right in the middle of the Harvard Yard is the Tercentenary Theater which is the venue for Harvard?s commencement exercises and for a number of different special celebrations all throughout the academic year.

Also found in the Harvard Yard are four of Harvard?s numerous libraries. These include the Lamont Library for the undergraduates, the Houghton Library where students can find rare titles and manuscripts, the Pusey Library annex and the Widener Library. Aside from these, the Harvard Yard also houses many academic halls, the Philips Brooks House conceptualized by Alexander Wadsworth Longfellow, Jr. who is the nephew of famous American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The Holden Chapel is also located here. Other buildings that the Yard encompasses are the Wadsworth House which serves as the main office of the university?s influential alumni organization and the Loeb House where Harvard?s officiating groups convene to tackle university issues.