Next to Harvard Square sits Harvard Yard. Harvard Yard is the oldest and center most part of Harvard College. There are many buildings surrounding the yard, however most of them happen to be freshman dorms. However one of the two oldest buildings in academia happens to still be in use on Harvard’s campus, known as Massachusetts Hall, originally built in 1720. It is the oldest building on Harvard’s campus.

It is common place to see drunken students and other mischief makers harassing the statue of Benjamin Franklin in front of Old Main; the most common prank is for students to urinate at the base of the statue.

The statue is commonly referred to as "Ben in the Box" because it appears that Franklin is emerging from an iron box.