<p>You will have a fantastic, and well-deserved weekend. After all the stress and hecticness of the past year, this is a chance to savour all the delights of Harvard. I would suggest including a visit to the Sackler Museum–the Fogg is currently closed for a major renovation, however they have moved their major works into the Sackler. It is close to Annenberg Hall, across from the fire station.</p>
<p>Also, the tour of Widener Library is a must–a Gutenberg bible on display, and the library is not normally open to the public. The Sunday service at Memorial Church is delightful with Reverend Professor Gomes presenting a sermon for first-years and families. (Last year titled “So Far-So Good”. He’s a great speaker and wise man.</p>
<p>Mammall, I too am going without DH, I think it will be a great to have some mother/daughter time. Something we don’t often get. I think you won’t regret it! fauve, thanks for the ideas on things to do over the weekend. My D also bought football tickets for the game.
As for things to do… Has anyone read the series by William Martin, Back Bay and Harvard Yard? Its fictional, treasure hunter type novel but its fun in that it goes back and forth in time and covers Harvard/Cambridge?Boston history as the story plays out. The major characters throughout the book are"old families" of Harvard and you get a bit of history (mind you fictionalized_) as you read. Sort of in the James Michnener style but much shorter!!! William Martin is a Harvard grad, its a fun easy read.</p>
<p>mammall, I’m happy for you that you are going to parents weekend. I’m sad that I won’t be going, my husband will be going without me. I have a freshman dtr that needs me here because it’s her first homecoming dance/game of high school. Enjoy yourself and have fun for those of us that can’t be there. Bring back lot’s of stories of the fun time you had!</p>
<p>There’s no denying it - Boston / Cambridge is a ridiculously expensive place to visit. We’re not a wealthy family, and besides, I’m a notorious cheapskate. And it’s true that if you can hold out another couple weeks, your student will be coming back your way for Thanksgiving. But here’s my justification - I never in my wildest dreams anticipated that I’d ever have a reason to visit Harvard in any capacity other than as a tourist, much less to have the university welcome me, entertain me, schmooze with me, feed me . . . Yes, I’m looking forward to seeing how my freshman D is getting along, meeting the new boyfriend, seeing where her classes are, etc, but this is also a major life event for me. I’d rather be an invited guest at Harvard than at the White House, and if this isn’t the type of experience that I’ve been saving up my whole life for, then I don’t know what else would merit those savings.</p>
<p>Oh BTW, two years ago the football tickets (Saturday afternoon vs. Columbia) were free for visitors, courtesy of the Parents Association. I assume they will be this year too.</p>
<p>My husband and I look forward to Parents week-end, and share many of the sentiments expressed by Gadad. I do have a couple of questions.
Has anyone yet received an actual invitation with detailed information?
If so, when did it arrive? I welcome information about the contents too.
I also welcome advice on what to pack from those experienced H parents. I live in a casual beach town with a year round warm climate. (e.g. sandals, t-shirts). Do we need to pack dress attire, business attire, jeans and a sweater, a jacket - other?
I am eager for information. Thanks!</p>
<p>Oh shoot! I wish I could go to Parents Weekend. I already promised my dtr that I would stay home and celebrate with her for her festivities, homecoming etc. My husband is anxiously waiting to see our son. He gets to meet the “new girlfriend” too. That’s very exciting. My son seems to be so happy. </p>
<p>again, thank you all for your support a few weeks ago when I was in despair over my son leaving and not being happy his first week. He LOVES harvard now (and no, not because of the girlfriend )</p>
<p>Guitars 101 Awesome news about your son, including the girlfriend I am so glad that it has all worked out and that he is so happy! I was telling a friend the other day how it was so much easier as a mom letting go when you know how happy they are, I can’t imagine how stressful it would be if they were unhappy!!!</p>
<p>I second the Widener Library tour idea - it’s terrific. We also left campus with our daughter and took a Duck Tour of Boston (expensive, but fun) and ate dinner at the North End with her friends and their parents.</p>
<p>We only brought casual clothes with us. </p>
<p>We are planning on seeing the glass flowers on Junior Parents Weekend.</p>
<p>I agree. I somehow managed to miss all the Widener tours along the way. So I never set foot inside the building until I was on campus for my daughter’s graduation. She took me in and sweet-talked the security guy into letting her take her old dad on a personal guided tour.</p>
<p>We actually visited Widener Library last April in our first trip to Harvard after D received her acceptance. Of course, we weren’t allowed to proceed further than the entryway and then me being the obnoxious mom that I am asked the woman at the front desk if newly admitted Harvard students might possibly have a look-see. She asked if my D had her acceptance letter with her. As it happened, obsessive Mom had it in the pocket of her jeans! We pulled it out, all wrinkled and really just a print out off the website acceptance form - and the kind woman said “You are a very Big Deal! Yes! You and your family are welcome here.” She left her post and took us all over. We spent a very long time gazing at Charles Dickens’ signature on one of his novels - David Copperfield? Terrible that I can’t remember quite. Anyway - that dear librarian’s kindness to us was one of those tipping points that brought our D to Harvard.</p>
<p>HI- D is a freshman at Harvard. We have PPO too and were told to waive the major medical at Harvard. with regard to Widener Library, we saw it over new student admits weekend and no one stopped us either.</p>
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