Harvard Law School has a storied history, evident in the buildings around campus that denote centuries of growth and innovation. From the nearly 200-year-old Gannett House to modern structures like Wasserstein Hall, the campus is full of architectural feats that stand the test of time.

Take a look back into the archives with Harvard Law Today’s Then & Now series, stories that showcase centuries of photography and archival work compiled by the Communications Office and Historical & Special Collections.

Harvard Law School’s Gannett House, which was built in 1838 is the school’s oldest surviving building

Watertcolor painting of four two story houses in a row.
A white building with columns next to a brick building.
A man sits on a black chair in a room near a window and some bookshelves with law books
A white building with columns on a campus

Harvard Law School’s Austin Hall, which opened in 1883 is one of the oldest buildings in continuous use for law teaching in the United States. 

An archival photo of a reading room with students sitting at long tables reading books under dim lighting
A group photo of students in rows in front of Austin Hall
One of the stone carved faces from the Austin Hall exterior with a touch of snow on his head
Exterior view of Austin Hall in early evening.

Harvard Law School’s Langdell Hall, which opened in 1907 is home of the most extensive academic law library in the world

A 1918 photo which shows a large building with columns in the background and military exercises on the field in front with onlooker watching the scene.
A black and white photo of a large room with wooden tables and chairs
Long view of the Reading Room in Langdell Hall
The exterior of Langdell in the fall