Destinations › Cambridge, Massachusetts

Widener Library

The great flight of steps and the columns on the south side of the Yard, 1915. Eleanor Elkins Widener built it for her son Harry, a book collector who died on the Titanic, and gave it his collection. The largest university library building in the world.

Guide's tip. The reading rooms are for Harvard ID holders. Visitors can stand on the steps and, some days, see the lobby.

On a walking tour. Stop 6 of 10 on the walking tour Harvard, the Yard and around it, every stop on a map in walking order.

about 20 min for a visit