Under the gold and crimson dome
Located on the banks of the Charles River next to the Weeks Footbridge, Dunster House is distinguished by its gold and crimson dome, which was modeled after the tower of Christ Church at Oxford. Famous Dunster residents have included former Vice President Al Gore and actor Tommy Lee Jones, who were roommates in the late 1960s, as well as comedian and U.S. Sen. Al Franken, novelist Norman Mailer, Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger, and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Like other Harvard Houses, this one has its traditions, the major being the Dunster House Opera, the “Messiah” sing-a-long at Christmas, and a goat roast in the spring. The opera epitomizes the inclusive, roll-up-your-sleeves-and-pitch-in spirit of the House. It utilizes only undergraduates for its cast, staff, and orchestra. This means that everyone shares multiple roles, with singers assembling sets shortly before they go onstage to deliver their arias. For many members of the cast,...