Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Was this building ever a church?

A. This is our MOST frequently asked question. Memorial Hall was NEVER a church. It looks like one, but it has never been one. The building is a memorial to the men from Harvard who gave their lives for the Union cause during the American Civil War.

Q. What famous people have spoken or performed at Sanders Theatre?

A. Many! Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt, Mel Gibson, Yo-Yo Ma, Prince Charles, Denzel Washington, Whoopi Goldberg, Leornard Bernstein, Malcom X, Al Gore, Colin Powell, Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Big Bird (and other friends of Sesame Street fame) have spoken or performed at Sanders Theatre, to name just a few.

Q. Out of what type of wood is the Memorial Transept constructed?

A. Black walnut.

Q. Can I look at the dining hall / great hall (Annenberg Hall)?

A. Annenberg Hall is private dining hall and is not available for public viewing.

Q. Can I look at Sanders Theatre?

A. Sanders Theatre is not typically available for viewing by the public except during public performances. The Calendar of Events lists the events scheduled for the coming season. Call the Harvard Box Office at 617-496-2222 for more information.