Harvard in the First Half of the 20th Century

The Harvard Historical Society presents a living history program, “Harvard in the First Half of the 20th Century.”  Harvard citizens tell stories about their lives and the events that took place during those early decades, including two world wars, a depression, a hurricane, and more.  The stories are adapted from a manuscript written by members of the Society in the late 1930s,  under the leadership of Ida Harris. The manuscript has been recently edited and prepared for publication by Joe Theriault, author and former president of the society..

Ida Harris tells us in her Preface that “Records have been searched, papers consulted, some of the oldest inhabitants interviewed and efforts made to obtain the most authentic information available.”  She concludes, “The aim of this committee has been to preserve for posterity such material as is now available but which, with the passing of the present inhabitants, might be forever lost.”

Other  authors who wrote sections of the book were Frank P. Abbot, Mary P. Abbot, Minnie E. Farnsworth, Imogene A. Gale, Edgar W. Harrod, Warren K. Harrod, Emila Estelle Hersey, Etta M. Ripley, Alma T. Royal, Clara Endicott Sears, Helen E. Stone, Arthur H. Turner, and Jennie Brown Willard. 

The book is published by the Harvard Historical Society and all proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the Society.