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Visitor at the Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East

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Special Commencement Announcement

  • The Harvard Museums of Science & Culture will be open during Harvard University Commencement on Thursday, May 26, and Sunday, May 29, 2022
  • Street parking on Oxford Street and Kirkland Street is not available from Tuesday, May 24 through Sunday, May 29
  • Public transit is recommended 
  • Harvard Yard will be closed to guests during Commencement ceremonies
  • Harvard Museum of Natural History grounds will be busy. Alternate access is available at the Peabody Museum, 11 Divinity Avenue

 

The Harvard Museum of the Ancient Near East is one of the four Harvard Museums of Science & Culture. We encourage you to read our Know Before You Go policies.

 
Hours: Sunday–Friday, 11:00am–4:00pm

Closed: Dec. 24–25 and Jan. 1

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.

Tour and school buses may get detailed bus parking instructions 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.

Virtual Field Trips

Virtual Field Trips for 10-50 middle school students per session are available. Please reserve at least two weeks in advance. The fee is $150 for up to 50 students and two session can be presented per day.

Virtual Self-Guiding Field Trips

Use the online tour of the museum with your class (any level) at any time. There is no charge, but we ask that you make a reservation so we can track attendance.

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.

Self-Guided On Site Group Visits

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 once open, 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.

Guided On Site 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. Tours are free of charge with a reservation

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.