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The College Teas Association (CTA), founded in 1894 under the presidency of Charles William Eliot by Mrs. Grace H. Eliot and fifteen other faculty wives, welcomed the wives of newly appointed members of the faculty at formal teas designed to help the newcomers build lasting friendships. For the first five years teas were hosted by Grace Eliot, in Fay House at Radcliffe College and later in Phillips Brooks House at Harvard College.
In 1939, the CTA and Mrs. Grace R. Conant added a Newcomers Club to help new arrivals to the University cope with unfamiliar neighborhoods and in many cases with a new language. Mrs. Anne W. Pusey carried on the tradition with special emphasis on small neighborhood teas and personal contact. The Association continued to hold the larger teas often at the President’s House, built by President and Mrs. A. Lawrence Lowell in 1912 at 17 Quincy Street.
In 1971, Mrs. Bok and the CTA formed a committee to consider the new status of women and to redefine the organization to adapt to a diverse and constantly changing constituency. A permanent office in Loeb House was established in 1972 under the organization’s new name, Harvard Neighbors. In 1988, the organization was opened to both women and men, with President and Mrs. Rudenstine as honorary co-chairs.
Harvard Neighbors celebrated its centennial year in 1994. A year-long schedule of events included a fall tea hosted by past chairwomen, Anne Pusey, Sissela Bok and Angelica Zander Rudenstine; the annual meeting, “Hats Off to Harvard Neighbors,” an evening of entertainment; an exhibition of historical documents and photographs in Pusey Library; and the publication of a HN cookbook.
In 2001, membership welcomed nonexempt staff, an important and positive step for HN within the University community. Twenty years later Harvard Neighbors is as strong as ever. In 2020, despite COVID-19 pandemic closing the University, Harvard Neighbors continued to offer online programming to members.
Timeline
1894
The College Teas Association (CTA) was formed by Mrs. Grace Hopkinson Eliot along with fifteen wives to “promote social intercourse” among wives of Harvard faculty.
1939
The “CTA” and Mrs. Grace P. Conant added a Newcomers Club to help new arrivals to the University cope with unfamiliar neighborhoods and in many cases with a new language.
1941
Membership was expanded to include wives of all corporation appointments.
1953
Mrs. Anne. W. Pusey welcomed newcomers through small teas held regularly in different neighborhoods.
1971
Mrs. Sissela Bok and the CTA formed a committee to consider the new status of women and to redefine the organization to adapt to a diverse and constantly changing constituency.
1972
A permanent office was established at 17 Quincy Street and a new name, Harvard Neighbors. Jane Williams became the first paid Coordinator.
1988
New bylaws welcomed men as well as women in membership.
1994
Harvard Neighbors celebrated its centennial year with a year-long schedule of events including an exhibition of historical documents and photographs in Pusey Library.
2001
Membership welcomed nonexempt staff, an important and positive step for HN within the University community.
2020
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic closing the University, the Harvard Neighbors Board met throughout the year to ensure continued online programming to members.
2022
Harvard Neighbors launches a new website in an effort to continue to improve communication to its well established members as well as attracting new members.
Photo Gallery
Past Presidents
| Year | Presidents of the College Teas Association |
|---|---|
| 1894-1909 | Charles William Eliot and Grace H. Eliot |
| 1909-1933 | A. Lawrence Lowell and Anna P. Lowell |
| 1933-1953 | James Bryant Conant and Grace R. Conant |
| 1953-1971 | Nathan Marsh Pusey and Anne W. Pusey |
| Year | Honorary Chairman and Co-Chairman |
|---|---|
| 1971-1991 | Derek Bok and Sissela Bok |
| 1991-2001 | Neil L. Rudenstine and Angelica Zander Rudenstine |
| Year | Presidents of Harvard Neighbors |
|---|---|
| 1972-1973 | Smitty Christensen |
| 1973-1974 | Agnes Burke |
| 1974-1975 | Anne Richardson |
| 1975-1976 | Harriet Price |
| 1976-1977 | Paulette Trout |
| 1977-1979 | Faye Wyatt |
| 1979-1981 | Mary Fan Kain |
| 1981-1983 | Judy Fox |
| 1983-1985 | Rebekah Taube |
| 1985-1987 | Carolann Brockett |
| 1987-1988 | Nancy Kohl |
| 1988-1990 | Wendy Kistler |
| 1990-1992 | Mary McKenney |
| 1992-1994 | Mary Jane Sanders |
| 1994-1996 | Karen McFarlan |
| 1996-1998 | Martha Moore |
| 1998-2000 | AnnaMaria Abernathy |
| 2000-2002 | Ginny Hutchison |
| 2002-2004 | Diana Stewart |
| 2004-2006 | Ann M. Howley |
| 2006-2007 | Barbara Matthews |
| 2007-2008 | Caroline Jacobs |
| 2009-2010 | Jean Leventhal |
| 2010-2012 | Elizabeth Dempster |
| 2012-2014 | Rhea Lesage |
| 2014-2016 | Aileen Grunder |
| 2016-2018 | Elizabeth Gray |
| 2018-2020 | Linda Braden |
| 2020-Present | Zarrin Foster |