Lowell House pride has soared in recent years, and understandably so: Lowellians have a lot to be proud of.
For starters, its location as the central-most River house means everyone is your neighbor and anything or anyone is not far away. Everyone is quick to bring up the close proximity of final clubs, but their presence (which should not be bothersome because you shouldn’t be studying on the weekend anyway) is hardly ever a nuisance. The formidable toll of the bells is much louder and of a much less recognizable tune, but they are but yet another reason to be proud of Lowell House — baby got bells.
It is often correctly stated that Lowell is a tightly-knit community, though it is unclear if this prideful trait is only due to the close quarters in which everyone lives. But only first semester sophomores complain about having to traipse through innumerable bedrooms, common rooms, and passageways just to make it to their in-suite bathrooms. No, this does not change much with seniority: we just make the best of it in this 84-year-old not-soon-to-be-renovated architecturally award-winning abode.
Voyeurs of Lowell’s House Day videos of recent years will recognize the yellow walls of the dining hall, which is even more familiar to Lowellians, who often spend time working and chatting together there at all hours of the day and night, rendering Lowell not just a place to eat and sleep, but a place to spend time with friends, tutors, and house masters alike.
It is difficult to overestimate the amount Lowell Love for Harvard’s favorite housemasters, Diana Eck and Dorothy Austin. One needs not look further than “Get Lowell” and “Drunk in Lowell” to see the extent to which Thursday Tea, raucous fun, and house pride are as important to D&D as they are to every other Lowellian.
Some of Lowell’s most stately traditions are like a nostalgic trip through time. Take the events of late spring, for example, which include a May Day waltz on Weeks Bridge and the annual playing of the 1812 overture in the Big (as opposed to the Small) Courtyard. After Spring Break, a not-insignificant portion of the dining hall is transformed into the set for the Lowell House Opera, which may or may not be to the chagrin of everyone who wants a table to sit at during lunch or dinner.
Don’t let this balanced overview fool you, though: Lowellians and non-Lowellians alike will tell you that Lowell is one of the best houses, which is not so far from the truth (hint: we’re #1!). Like Harvard itself, that which makes Lowell truly great is a combination of diverse and uniquely talented students, tutors, staff, and administrators that all love the House equally. Prime location and beautiful architecture further seal the deal. After all, why compromise if you don’t have to?