Visit
Museum Temporarily Closed to Public
Health and Safety Update
We continue to monitor the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and prioritize the safety of our visitors, staff, students and volunteers. In the interests of reducing the number of people on campus and slowing the opportunity for transmission, the university museums are closing to the public, at the end of business on Thursday, March 12 until further notice. All public programs, classes, and events have been canceled. Over the next few weeks we will be assessing the situation and reviewing options for when we will be able to re-open to the public.
Directions
By Train
1. Take a MBTA Red Line to Harvard Square Station
2. Take a Massachusetts Avenue exit
3. Walk diagonally through Harvard Yard to
4. Continue walking through the Plaza
5. Turn right on Kirkland St
6. Turn left onto Divinity Ave
By Bus
1. Take the 86 Bus to Kirkland St
2. Turn right on Kirkland St
3. Take the first left onto Divinity Ave
By Car
From Harvard Square
1. Head East on Massachusetts Ave
2. Make a slight right onto Cambridge St
3. Make a slight left to stay on Cambridge St
4. Turn left onto Quincy St
5. Turn right onto Kirkland St
6. Take your first left onto Divinity Avenue
Museum Parking
Parking in front of the museum is not available. Parking for cars and vans is available at the garage located at 52 Oxford Street. Permits must be purchased in advance online through the Harvard Parking Office using code 2021.
Weekend permits for the Oxford Street Garage can be purchased in-person at the Harvard Museum of Natural History's admission desk at 26 Oxford Street. License plate number required for purchase.
Tour and school buses may get detailed bus parking instructions by visiting this page or by contacting reservations at 617-495-3216.
Photography
Personal photography is allowed; however, the use of flash and tripods is not permitted in the galleries. The use of selfie sticks in the museum is prohibited. Commercial photography or video cameras are not permitted without written permission. Please contact the museum for permission: hmane@harvard.edu or (617) 495-4631. For rights and permissions regarding publications, please consult our Rights and Permissions page.
Self-Guided Group Visits
All groups of ten or more are asked to register (please see below). The Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East is available for grades 4-12 self-guided group visits on Wednesdays or Fridays during the academic year. Summer and January have more availability. Self-guided student groups are welcome in groups of 10–24 people. Groups of 25 and more can arrange a staggered entrance to accommodate college classes in the same building.
College-level educators are invited to bring their classes from any university or program to the museum Monday-Friday and Sundays.
Please register all group visits at least two weeks in advance by using the online Reservation Request Form. The museum may not be able to allow entry without advance registration. Self-guided group tours are free of charge.
Educator Admission
Educators are invited to visit the museum free of charge, anytime during open hours to develop assignments for their students’ visits.
Virtual Field Trips
Virtual Field Trips for 10-50 middle school students per session must also be reserved at least two weeks in advance. The fee is $150 for up to 50 students and two session can be presented per day.
Please complete the online Reservation Request Form to begin the reservations process. When the request has been reviewed, you will be contacted by the Education Department who can answer questions and send confirmation.
Free Touch Tours
Available for blind and visually-impaired people, this interactive 60-minute touch tour explores the From Stone to Silicone exhibition featuring art from ancient Mesopotamia. Touchable artifacts spark discussion about the art in the Assyrian palace of King Ashunasurpal II. Service animals are welcome.
To reserve a Touch Tour or to request information, please complete the online reservation request form. The reservationist will contact you for additional information and to answer any questions you may have. You may also call (617) 495-3216.
Reservations are available for tours during the fall and spring semesters, except during holidays, Wintersession, and recess breaks. See the Harvard academic calendar for dates. Tours are offered at 1:00 pm Sundays or 2:00 pm Wednesdays starting February 9, 2020 through March 13 and from March 25 through April 29, 2020. Summer tours are available upon request.