University Hall and John Harvard Statue, Boston

University Hall and John Harvard Statue, Boston

University Hall is a real showstopper, a building that's determined to stand out in the crowd. Its neoclassical design is the architectural equivalent of a grand entrance – large, imposing, and so symmetrical that it's almost showing off. This beauty was built between 1813 and 1815 from white granite, a real rebel compared to its red brick buddies, Massachusetts Hall and Harvard Hall. And if you need more proof of its superstar status, it's been designated a National Historical Landmark.

Now, let's talk about the other superstar in the yard – the John Harvard Statue. This is the spot where every hopeful Harvard student makes a pilgrimage for that classic photo op. They'll strike a pose next to good ol' John, the guy who's always good for a bit of luck. Legend has it that rubbing his shiny shoe brings you good fortune, and who wouldn't want a piece of that?

The statue, designed by Daniel Chester French, proudly flaunts an inscription that reads, 'John Harvard, Founder of Harvard College, 1638'. Except, here's the twist – none of that is actually true! First of all, the statue doesn't depict John Harvard because nobody really knows what he looked like; it's just some random student who's been hitting the books a little too hard. Second, John Harvard wasn't the founder of the college; he was more like the first generous donor who chipped in back in 1638. And if you want to split hairs, the college was actually founded two years earlier in 1636. So, in essence, the statue is known for telling three big lies.

It's almost as if the Harvard symbol is out here playing a prank on everyone, giving a cheeky wink to the university's motto, 'Veritas', which means 'truth.' But hey, who needs the truth when you've got a shiny shoe to rub for good luck?

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Boston. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

University Hall and John Harvard Statue on Map

Sight Name: University Hall and John Harvard Statue
Sight Location: Boston, USA (See walking tours in Boston)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Boston, Massachusetts

Create Your Own Walk in Boston

Create Your Own Walk in Boston

Creating your own self-guided walk in Boston is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Boston Shopping Areas

Boston Shopping Areas

One of the top shopping destinations in the US northeast, Boston has a strong network of interesting stores, galleries and boutiques to visit along with its many high-class shops, some of which are nestled inside historical buildings. Shopping here in more than one way mirrors the city itself: an amalgamation of classic and vanguard, the handmade and the high-end, and both local and international...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Historical Cambridge MA Walking Tour

Historical Cambridge MA Walking Tour

Once a quiet New England farming village-turned capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, today's Cambridge, MA is a university town that dazzles visitors as the home of renowned Harvard University – alma mater of many intellectuals, literary geniuses, celebrities, and wealthy and powerful. Many of America’s elite have spent some time at Harvard, and their contributions to Cambridge have...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles
North End Food Tour

North End Food Tour

Boston’s North End is famous primarily for its Italian food. By far not as big as New York's Little Italy, this one-square-mile waterfront community is the oldest in the city, and is packed to the brim with a cornucopia of Italian eateries – restaurants, cafes, espresso bars, pizza and sandwich shops – lined next to each other within just a few short blocks to ensure visitors both a...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Bunker Hill Walking Tour

Bunker Hill Walking Tour

Bunker Hill, sitting on the bank of the Charles River in Boston, Massachusetts, is a historic site that holds great significance in American history. At its heart stands the Bunker Hill Monument, a towering obelisk commemorating the Battle of Bunker Hill, a pivotal event in the American Revolutionary War.

The battle took place on June 17, 1775, when American patriots faced off against British...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.5 Km or 0.9 Miles
Beacon Hill Historic Houses Tour

Beacon Hill Historic Houses Tour

Boston’s historic neighborhood of Beacon Hill is quite a charm! One can spend hours here, admiring the elegant uniformity and restraint of the architecture; at times, perhaps, imagining people from the past in their horse-drawn carriages. Federal-style and Victorian row houses, narrow streets lit by antique gas lanterns, brick sidewalks and lavender-hued windows adorn the area, which is...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.1 Km or 1.3 Miles
Historical Churches Walking Tour

Historical Churches Walking Tour

Boston's great churches are among the most precious of the city's numerous architectural jewels. What makes them special are their unique styles, elegant facades and long history.

Starting with the Old North Church, which towers in the city’s North End, this journey surely feels like taking a step back in time. Legend was made there, in the very place that Paul Revere waited for...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.6 Km or 2.2 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Boston's Marblehead Eateries

Boston's Marblehead Eateries

With such a diverse variety of dining cuisines and styles, the little town of Marblehead has something to satisfy every budget and culinary palate. You won't find any neon here, none is allowed in town and there are no fast food or drive-thrus establishments either. Most are quaint and...