Inside Widener Library

Explore the architecture and history of Harvard's famous Widener Library

Widener Library exterior view (1915)Harvard Library

Widener Library

Opened in 1915, Widener Library was gifted to Harvard University by Eleanor Elkins Widener in memory of her recently deceased son, Harry Elkins Widener. The construction of this library transformed Harvard's campus physically and intellectually. Today it remains an active center for research, classes, events, political reform, etc.

Removing books from Gore Hall prior to its demolition (1912)Harvard Library

Design and construction

Plans for Widener Library began as early as June 1912, just two months after the death of Harry Elkins Widener. Harvard's president Lawrence Lowell and head Librarian Archibald Coolidge contacted Eleanor Elkins Widener to determine next steps in the bequest. From there, the process moved quickly and Widener Library opened just three years later on 24 June, 1915.

The location of Widener Library was originally occupied by Gore Hall, a smaller Gothic-style library. It was demolished in 1913 to make way for Widener. This image shows the removal of books from Gore Hall prior to its demolition. A crew of three load books from a chute to transport elsewhere.

Partial plan of Harvard campus, including Gore Hall super-imposed with Widener (c. 1910)Harvard Library

This plan for Widener Library shows how it was mapped over the existing structure of Gore Hall.

Portrait of Julian Abele (1881-1950)Harvard Library

Although Horace Trumbauer is often credited for the design and plan of Widener Library, African-American architect Julian Francis Abele was the chief architect of the Trumbauer Architectural Firm at the time of Widener's construction.

Outgoing Letter from William Coolidge Lane to Julian Abele Outgoing Letter from William Coolidge Lane to Julian Abele (2 August 1913) by William Coolidge LaneHarvard Library

Abele rarely signed any documents related to the construction of Widener. However, this letter from Librarian William Coolidge Lane to Julian Abele shows that Abele was actively involved in the design process, and that Lane viewed him as the chief architect for the building.

Photograph of Eleanor Elkins Widener at Cornerstone Laying Ceremony for Widener Library (16 June 1913)Harvard Library

Similarly, Eleanor Elkins Widener, pictured here on the left, is seldom acknowledged for the active role she played in shaping Widener Library.

Letter from John B. Stetson, Jr. to A. Lawrence Lowell Letter from John B. Stetson, Jr. to A. Lawrence Lowell (11 June 1912)Harvard Library

A letter from John Stetson to Lawrence Lowell from the time of the donation shows that Eleanor Elkins Widener was the lead figure behind donating her son's collection of books. "She and she alone" was responsible for the bequest.

Letter from John B. Stetson, Jr. to A. Lawrence Lowell page 2Harvard Library

In addition to her son's bequest, she donated in excess of three million dollars to build the Widener Memorial Library to house her son's collection of rare books. She carefully oversaw how the funds were used and the design process for the building.

Declaration of Trust between Eleanore [sic] Elkins Widener and The President & Fellows of Harvard College page 2Harvard Library

Eleanor Elkins Widener also set aside a large endowment for on-going maintenance and the acquisition of new books. She retained absolute discretion over this fund until her death in 1937.

Photograph of Widener Library Construction (c. 1913)Harvard Library

Construction on Widener began in 1913 and took roughly two years to complete. Early photos of the undertaking show the intense manual labor involved in creating this cornerstone of Harvard's campus.

Photograph of Widener Library Construction (c. 1913)Harvard Library

Widener Library (rear) (c. 1936)Harvard Library

Early years

Widener Library Main Staircase and John Singer Sargent Murals (2019) by Enrique DiazHarvard Library

Widener Library has gone through several developments both during Eleanor Elkins Widener's lifetime and after. Following World War I, American artist John Singer Sargent was commissioned to paint two grand murals commemorating the Harvard alumni who fought and died in the war.

Widener Library Main Staircase (2014) by Enrique DiazHarvard Library

The left panel, entitled "Death and Victory" and right panel, entitled "Entering the War," are situated on either side of the grand staircase leading to the Memorial Room and up to the Loker Reading Room.

Widener Library Treasure Room, Front Elevation (1940) by Perry, Shaw, and Hepburn [architects]Harvard Library

Several rare book collections were donated to Harvard after the opening of Widener. Eventually the original rare books reading room had to be expanded. This image shows the plan for constructing a new treasure room, now named Houghton Library, just east of Widener.

Gutenberg Bible (selections), Volume 2 page 1Harvard Library

New additions to Widener's rare book collections included one of only forty-eight surviving copies of the Gutenberg Bible, the first book printed using the moveable type in Europe. It was donated to Harvard by George Widener and Eleanor Widener Dixon (the two younger siblings of Harry Widener) in 1944.

Gutenberg Bible (selections), Volume 2 page 308Harvard Library

While the majority of the text was printed using the moveable type, the chapter headings and capital letters were ornamented in color by hand. And the pages were decorated with various abstract designs.

Widener Memorial Library, Harvard University, General Reading Room (1915)Harvard Library

Since its inauguration, Widener Library has been an academic and social hub on campus. The main reading room (now the Loker Reading Room) was regularly crowded with eager students.

Students on the steps of Widener Library (1960)Harvard Library

Beyond research, Widener was an incredibly social space where students gathered, debated, and even sun-bathed.

Crowd on steps of Widener watch fire bomb exhibition (1942)Harvard Library

Because of Widener's size, it was an important gathering space not only for Harvard's students, but for the Cambridge community. Photographed here is a public firebombing drill held during World War II.

Widener 100th Anniversary Banner (2015) by Enrique DiazHarvard Library

Widener today

Office Hours for Intro to Computer Science (2015) by Winnie WuHarvard Library

Widener continues to be a space of active learning. Here we see office hours for one of Harvard's largest classes: Computer Science 50, Intro to Computer Science.

Office Hours for Intro to Computer Science (2015) by James CurtainHarvard Library

Students gather and study together in the communal space of Loker Reading Room.

First Year Librarians Event (2019)Harvard Library

Elsewhere, Widener plays host to a number of events, including a welcome day for first-year librarians on campus.

Widener 100th Anniversary Celebrations (2015) by Martha StewartHarvard Library

...or an event in honor of Widener Library's 100-year anniversary.

Mary Kocol Photographing a Japanese Scroll (2012) by Harvard Library Imaging ServicesHarvard Library

Widener's role on Harvard's campus continually grows. It is the center for digitization projects aimed at increasing the availability of Harvard's collections to academics, as well as the public. Here, imaging technician Mary Kocol photographs a 19th century Japanese scroll for online publication.

Widener Library exterior view (1915)Harvard Library

Ultimately, the Widener Memorial Library has remained an important feature of Harvard's campus. It has been home to rare book collections, studious students, celebratory events, and city-wide demonstrations. We invite you to explore Harvard Library's online collections to learn more about its history and on-going legacy: Digital Collections

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