Harvard House and Garrick Inn, Stratford-upon-Avon

Harvard House was built in 1596 by Thomas Rogers in classical Tudor style. Thomas was the grandfather of John Harvard, of Harvard University fame. Thomas and his second wife, Alice, carved their initials into the house front. Proof it was indeed their house. Thomas was a rich merchant. He served as Alderman for the Stratford Corporation, beside John Shakespeare.

In 1909 Marie Corelli, novelist, supported Edward Morris, an American in his efforts to purchase the house. Morris succeeded in buying the house. It was given to Harvard University and became known as Harvard House.

The missing link concerning the name Harvard is found in 1605 with the marriage of Thomas' daughter, Katherine to Robert Harvard. Robert and Katherine had a son in 1607 and his name became John. Flash ahead to 1636. John married Ann Sadler and they emigrated to Massachusetts. John was a preacher and a teacher. He died in 1636.

Before he died, the Massachusetts Bay Colony founded a college in Cambridge. John had bequeathed 750 pounds and his library of books to the college. In gratitude the college was named Harvard.

The Garrick Inn is located at 25 High Street in Stratford-upon-Avon, cheek and jowl to Harvard House. It is said to be the oldest pub in town, but the old Thatch Tavern contests that claim. The building is thought to have been erected in 1596 with parts of it going back to the 14th century.

It was once called the Greyhound, and/or The Reindeer. Then it was named after the actor David Garrick. It is claimed plague started in the original Inn, possibly when it was Greyhound or Reindeer, or not. The unlucky fellow who gets credit for the plague is one Oliver Gunn. Someone wrote "Here begins the plague" in Latin in his burial entry.

There have been rumors of ghosts. Was there ever an old pub without at least one?