The Harvard Map Collection partnered with professor Joyce Chaplin and her students on an effort to understand historical biodiversity as they seek to re-wild spaces on campus. The project compares historical and contemporary images of Harvard Yard, revealing that despite its seemingly timeless appearance, many of its iconic features, including trees and buildings like Widener Library, are relatively recent additions from the early 20th century. This challenges the perception of Harvard Yard as an unchanging space and raises questions about potential future transformations of the landscape.
