House Life

Each House accommodates 350-500 students, creating a small, close-knit living environment that emphasizes community. Each House has its own dining hall, common rooms, and spaces for both academic and recreational activities. The House faculty continuously provide cultural and social opportunities that aid in building community. For example, a House may put on a weekly slam poetry night or sponsor outings in Boston and Cambridge. Because of the community that many students find in their Houses, Harvard students have lots of House pride. Students get the opportunity to compete on behalf of their Houses in intramural sports competitions year-round. House pride reaches its peak, though, on Housing Day. Housing Day is a sacred Harvard holiday in which first-year students learn which House they will live in. On Housing Day, upperclass students get dressed up in House apparel and storm first-year dorms announcing to students which House they are placed in.

Nine of these twelve Houses are referred to as the River Houses because they are located between Harvard Square and the Charles River. The River Houses are Adams House, Dunster House, Eliot House, Kirkland House, Leverett House, Lowell House, Mather House, Quincy House and Winthrop House.