President's House, found at 17 Quincy Street, served as a residence for Harvard

Harvard University

Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...

 Presidents

President of Harvard University

The President of Harvard University is the chief administrator of the university. Ex officio the chairman of the Harvard Corporation, he or she is appointed by and is responsible to the other members of that body, who delegate to him or her the day-to-day running of the university...

 until 1971, when Derek Bok (1971-1991) moved his family to Elmwood. In 1995, the building was renamed, and is currently known as Loeb House.

History

President's House was donated to Harvard University

Harvard University

Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...

 by then president A. Lawrence Lowell. It was designed by Lowell's cousin, Guy Lowell

Guy Lowell

Guy Lowell , American architect, was the son of Mary Walcott and Edward Jackson Lowell, and a member of Boston's well-known Lowell family....

 and completed in 1912. During World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, President James Bryant Conant

James Bryant Conant

James Bryant Conant was a chemist, educational administrator, and government official. As thePresident of Harvard University he reformed it as a research institution.-Biography :...

 and his family allowed the United States Navy to use the building for its V-12 Navy College Training Program

V-12 Navy College Training Program

The V-12 Navy College Training Program was designed to supplement the force of commissioned officers in the United States Navy during World War II...

. In 1971, Harvard President Derek Bok chose to live at Elmwood, off Brattle Street, which had previously housed deans of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. In 1995, the building was renamed to honor steady benefactors, John Langeloth Loeb and Frances Lehman Loeb by President Neil Rudenstine. There are historic records that indicate that the University had wanted to name the building after its actual donor but had been opposed by A. Lawrence Lowell himself. When the building was renamed a number of students and alumni successfully complained about the lack of contemporary acknowledgment there and a painting and plaque were added honoring the actual donor.

Current usage

Since the Boks' departure, the building has housed the University governing board offices and is often utilized by the two boards, the Overseers and the Corporation, for formal meetings. The first floor of the house is used for a variety of special events ranging from dinners to large receptions, and is available for rent.