Lamont Built on Site of Dana Palmer House

When a group of alumni moved to prevent the construction of the Humanities Quad in place of the Freshman Union this year, some reminisced wistfully about a time of architectural charm at Harvard, before hyper-professional, post-modern buildings dotted the campus.

But curiously, this year's controversy over the Union parallels events from 50 years ago, when a broad-based coalition pushed to block construction of Lamont Library, which would replace the Dana Palmer House in the Yard.

Like the Freshman Union, the Dana Palmer House was a charming but perhaps obsolete relic of Harvard's past.

Located at Lamont's current site next to Wigglesworth Hall on Mass. Ave., the 120-year-old Georgian-style manor had served as home to distinguished Harvard scholars, including then-president James B. Conant '14.

And like the new Humanities Quad, Lamont Library was viewed by Harvard as a key component of the University's expansion.

With the blossoming of Harvard's graduate schools, the national increase in college enrollments and the G.I. Bill for World War II veterans, the University decided that undergraduates needed a library.

Students, faculty and alumni objected that placing Lamont in the Yard would denigrate Harvard's hallowed architectural tradition.

Protesters raised concerns that the University was preparing to turn Harvard Yard into a vast architectural pudding.

"The University must not allow the Yard to disintegrate into just another Cambridge block," The Crimson Staff editorialized on May 11, 1946.

The Crimson demanded that the University save the Dana Palmer House, claiming that its destruction would "insult generations of men who lived [in the Yard]."

"A picture of the Yard 50 years from now will dishearten those who feel a strong attachment to what remains of Harvard's gracious heart," the staff editorialized.

Many protesters called on the University to construct the new library on Mt. Auburn Street. The protesters said this location would be more fair to residents of the river houses while preserving the architectural integrity of Harvard Yard.

In the end, the new library's benefactor, Thomas W. Lamont, Class of 1892, made a $75,000 donation which allowed the University to move the Dana Palmer House to its current site across from Loeb House on Quincy Street.

The Crimson reported on May 25 that "after weeks of speculation and worry," administrators had decided to save the 120-year-old homestead.

The Dana Palmer House was divided into three sections, two of which were moved across the street. The third, a service wing, was removed.

Lamont Library was built on the old site later that year.

Since that time, the Dana Palmer House has served as the official guest quarters for visiting scholars and lecturers.

Residents have included composer Aaron Copland, Princess Grace of Monaco, author James A. Michener, former secretary of defense Robert McNamara and newscasters Dan Rather and Walter Cronkhite.