Introduction

The Harvard Summer School originated during the nineteenth century as a commitment on the part of individual members of the Harvard faculty to provide instruction to teachers in the methods of science and to make some of the University's resources available to the public. In 1863 Harvard instituted University Lectures, which were open to qualified individuals not enrolled at the University. The lectures were designed for teachers as well as for those who had received a bachelor's degree and wished to continue an academic program. While the University Lectures were discontinued after a dozen years, they represented Harvard's first efforts at establishing a formal graduate school. They also paved the way for two enduring continuing education programs at Harvard -- the Summer School and University Extension.

Concurrent with the University Lectures, the Lawrence Scientific School, founded at Harvard in 1847, offered teacher training courses in laboratory science, however, most teachers, found it difficult to attend these courses during the school year. In 1871, after Harvard extended the summer vacation to thirteen weeks, Asa Gray, Professor of Natural History, utilized this time to conduct a course in botany for teachers. Thus began a tradition of summer instruction.

The early summer courses were sometimes referred to as "summer schools" i.e, the Summer School of Botany, Summer School of Chemistry and Summer School of Geology. The photographs and documents in this exhibition provide glimpses of the programs and students from the first five decades of what would, by 1920, be known as the Summer School of Arts and Sciences and of Education. During this time period the summer school grew and attracted students from diverse regions. Most of the students were educators who used their vacation time to increase their subject knowledge and pedagogical skills. The curriculum included special programs for developing fields of study such as physical education and programs for targeted participants such as the Cuban Summer School of 1900. The University assumed responsibility for the administration of academic and other aspects of a coeducational program. Excursions to places of historical, cultural and industrial interest supplemented coursework. There were receptions and other forms of entertainment and venues for social bonding. New courses and methods of study were introduced. Lectures on timely topics were given for the benefit of members of the summer school and the general public.

The title for the exhibition was based on the purpose of the plan put in motion by Louis Agassiz in 1873 to establish a school for natural history by the sea. It was to provide a summer program "where teachers from our schools and colleges could make their vacations serviceable, both for work and recreation, by the direct study of nature." Louis Agassiz: his life and correspondence, edited by Elizabeth Cary Agassiz, (Boston: 1885).

Summer School of Chemistry, 1890 First row wearing vest is the instructor, Theodore William Richards. HUP-SF Summer School (1) Click on image for larger views.

Students and Instructors from Summer School of Physical Training, 1897. Detail from HUP-SF Summer School of Physical Training (11) Click on image for full image and larger views.

Participants from Santa Clara y Puerto Principe, Cuba. Cuban Summer School, 1900. Detail from photograph in "Album de la expedicion..." edited by George C. Griffith (Cambridge: 1900) HUE 83. 100.9 F Click on image for full image and larger views.