Frequently Asked Questions
100 Years Rudolf Steiner
Frequently Asked Questions
Read below to learn more about our most frequently asked questions. If you have further questions, please email pes@hds.harvard.edu. We are a small team, but will do our best to get back to you.
The fully-hybrid conference will run all day and into the early evening on Monday, December 15, and Tuesday, December 16. Local and national anthroposophical organizations will host additional events nearby throughout the day on Sunday, December 14, and in the morning of Wednesday, December 17. One of the conference keynotes may take place in the evening of the 14th.
Swartz Hall
45 Francis Ave
Cambridge
MA 02138
You can find the full schedule for this year's conference here.
Public transit
HDS encourages the use of public transit when possible.
Subway: Take the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA, known locally as the "T") Red Line to the Harvard Square station. From there, refer to the walking directions below.
Bus: For more information on MBTA fares, maps, and schedules, visit the MBTA website.
Public transit from Logan Airport
The MBTA Silver Line, a bus rapid-transit system, stops at all Logan Airport terminals. Take the Silver Line to South Station. From South Station, take the Red Line in the direction of Alewife Station to Harvard Square.
Walking from Harvard Square
The Harvard Red Line subway stop is located in the center of Harvard Square. From Harvard Square, walk northeast across Harvard Yard, where you will come to an open plaza in front of the Science Center. Walk across the plaza to the intersection of Oxford and Kirkland streets. Walk east on Kirkland Street. To reach Divinity Hall, turn left on Divinity Avenue, the first street to the left (you'll see a large white building at the intersection of Divinity Avenue and Kirkland). Divinity Hall is the last building on the right, at 14 Divinity Avenue.
To reach the rest of the HDS campus, stay on Kirkland, proceeding past Divinity Avenue, to Francis Avenue, and turn left on Francis. Swartz Hall and the HDS Library will be on the left side of the street, at 45 Francis Avenue. Rockefeller Hall, 47 Francis Avenue, is beside Swartz Hall to the north. The Center for the Study of World Religions, 42 Francis Avenue, is on the right side of the street, across from Swartz Hall. The Carriage House, at 56 Francis Avenue, is also on the right side of Francis Avenue, just beyond the bend at Jewett House, the Dean's residence.
Driving directions and parking
Directions: use “Harvard Divinity School” in a search engine or GPS device.
Parking: Some parking is available in various areas near the HDS campus.
There is limited metered parking available:
- On Kirkland Street, in either direction
- On Quincy to the left off Broadway, along Harvard Yard.
There are also public garages in Harvard Square:
- Trinity Property's Harvard Square Parking Garage at 65 John F. Kennedy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Propark's Church Street Garage at 41 Church Street, Cambridge MA 02138
- Propark's Smith Center (formerly Holyoke Center) Garage at 1350 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02138.
We are unable to directly support in securing accommodations. However, we have created a Room & Ride Sharing Message Board on our official PES Discord to enable participants to search for accommodations together.
Browse nearby hotel options below.
10-15 minute walk to the conference venue:
- Cambria Boston Somerville — Newer, less transit-accessible than the Porter Square options, but still reasonably close. ($$)
- Irving House at Harvard: A small hotel with 44 rooms and a bed-and-breakfast feel. Options from single room w/shared bathroom up to family room with bunk beds. Complimentary breakfast! ($-$$) 617-547-4600
- Prentiss House: 20 rooms updated in 2022 in an historic building constructed in 1843. A patio in the back offers a break from the hustle and bustle of Mass Ave. (Note: This is an 18 minute walk from Harvard Yard.) ($$) 857-263-3073
- Sheraton Commander Hotel: A Cambridge landmark with 175 rooms and recent updates. Onsite restaurant Nubar is a cozy place for a cocktail and the fitness center is open 24/7. Mobility accessible rooms available. ($$$) 617-547-4800
20-25 minute walk to the conference venue:
- Gingko House on Harvard: A beautiful and historic building with airy updates. 14 rooms, from singles with shared bathrooms to a private entrance family suite. ($-$$$)
- Hotel 1868 — Stylish, transit-accessible, and close to HDS. ($$)
- Harvard Square Hotel: 73 colorful rooms, some with lovely views. Mobility accessible rooms available. Complimentary tea and coffee in the lobby cafe. ($-$$$) 617-864-5200
- Hotel Veritas: Open since 2010, this 31-room hotel is stylish and boasts a beautiful lobby. 2 wheelchair accessible rooms. ($$$) 617-520-5000
- Porter Square Hotel — Affordable, modern, and right by the Porter Square T stop. ($$)
- The Charles Hotel: This is a Harvard Square institution with 294 rooms and lots of amenities, including a spa, a salon, a large fitness center, and multiple restaurants and bars. Accessible rooms available. ($$$; ask for the special campus visit rate) 617-864-1200
We do not provide financial payments to conference presenters. While conference registration is free and includes 2-3 complimentary meals, we do not offer:
- Honoraria
- Travel reimbursement
- Lodging reimbursement
- Shipping reimbursement for materials
We have prioritized making the conference free for all attendees. For those without institutional travel support, we offer remote participation options.
Thank you for your interest! We are unable to accept late proposals.
Yes, the conference organizers can provide an official acceptance letter or invitation letter to support your US visa application. To request these documents, please send an email to pes@hds.harvard.edu. Please include your full name, affiliation, and presentation title in your request. It is important to understand that providing these support documents does not guarantee visa approval. The decision to grant a visa rests solely with the US government. We recommend that you begin the visa application process as early as possible, as processing times can vary. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on US visa requirements, please visit the official website of the US Department of State.