The university linens service becomes the Linen agency, the financial backbone of HSA in its early years and still an HSA staple as HSA Cleaners today.
HSA rents out its first refrigerator, inspiring the agency now known as HSA Dorm Essentials.
1957
1958
From its first ramshackle home above a liquor store at 102 Mt. Auburn St., HSA moves to more comfortable digs in the basement of 4 Holyoke St.
Let’s Go debuts as a 25-page pamphlet for passengers on HSA’s charter flights to Europe. Today Let’s Go reigns supreme over the travel-writing market but the charter flights, sadly, are no more.
1960
1962
A valiant doughnut boy from HSA Refreshment fails to stave off a mob of 200 ravenous freshmen from his red wagon of snacks outside Thayer Hall.
HSA explodes out of its 4 Holyoke offices into a second location at 12 Garden St. Then 12 Garden St. is imploded to make way for a parking lot and the satellite office moves to 993A Mass. Ave.
1963
1963
The Catering agency holds the first Harvard Student Agencies Bartending Course, changing the local party scene forever.
Six HSA Entertainment employees cruise Boston in four-piece suits, fedoras, and a 1928 Packard to promote the gangster movie “The St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.”
1967
1968
HSA conquers more ground, expanding to a third location at 2 Trowbridge St.
HSA contributes to the civil-rights movement with a student-produced documentary on the challenging job market for minorities as well as a student-published book on college opportunities for African-Americans.
1969
1970
Andrew Nelson is named HSA’s second General Manager but struggles with ill health for most of his term.
HSA bids adieu to the 993A Mass. Ave. office. Farewell, sweet cubicles!
1971
1973
Brad Howe, a former Linen and Europe-by-Air manager, takes over as General Manager.
HSA’s plan to sell condoms in the student union ends, uh, prematurely in the face of public controversy.
1973
1973
HSA swaps out the 2 Trowbridge office for a shiny new space at 8 Holyoke St., a dirty laundry bag’s throw away from company HQ.
Robert Maxcy is tapped as General Manager but lasts only seven days in the job. His replacement, Dan DelVecchio, endures approximately seven years, 358 days longer.
1975
1975
No longer must Harvard students languish in ignorance: HSA publishes its first Unofficial Guide to Life at Harvard, today produced by HSA Marketing.
A heavy storm combines with poor drainage to force the evacuation of HSA HQ, which floods with two inches of sewage.
1977
1979
In a related development, HSA flees its Holyoke St. dominion for the unsullied chambers of Thayer Hall B, right in the middle of Harvard Yard.
HSA Instructional Services educates students in the delicate intricacies of disco, the subtle refreshment of jazz, and the swingin’ elegance of ballroom dancing.
1979
1980
It’s no dis, but a tribute: HSA Distribution is born.
Lynn Liakos is elected HSA’s first female President.
1981
1983
Hope Spruance becomes HSA’s first female General Manager.
HSA Travel begins selling a Let’s Go line of luggage to would-be travelers hankering for a super-fly backpack.
1984
1986
Now under the auspices of Harvard Student Resources, the Bartending Course devastatingly stops using real alcohol. Remarkably, enrollment continues to increase.
Let’s Go, now employing dozens of student editors, moves into Canaday’s G entryway.
1988
1989
Harold Rosenwald, one of HSA’s original founders, retires from the Board of Directors after 32 years of service as legal counsel, advisor, and friend to HSA.
New General Manager Michele Ponti takes over for Spruance.
1990
1992
Let’s Go Inc. decamped for new (and more sun-filled) office space at 1 Story St.
Richard Olken begins an influential term as General Manager.
1992
1993
Yard renovations force HSA into a new abode at 53A Church St.
HSA moves into its current crimson home at 67 Mt. Auburn St., and HSA Cleaners opens at 17 Holyoke St.
1997
1998
Richard Olken steps down as General Manager, and Board member Blair Brown steps in as interim GM.
In the spirit of HSA’s freewheeling youth, the Cronin Center for Enterprise forms to encourage business education and entrepreneurship on campus.
1998
1999
Bob Rombauer starts his tenure as HSA’s eighth permanent General Manager.
HSA acquires the rights to The Harvard Shop and merges it with The Campus Store to forge a class ring- and sweatshirt-selling behemoth at 52 JFK St.
2001
2005
HSA says konnichiwa to another agencia: HSA Translation.
The inaugural SAT SOS course ushers in a new agency, Tutoring.
2006
2007
Current General Manager Jim McKellar takes the reins.
They’re multiplying! A second Harvard Shop opens in the Holyoke Center, immediately drawing in huge sales from foot traffic in the Square.
2008
2008
HSA co-founds the I3 Innovation Challenge, providing grants and office space to standout student startups like Her Campus, Philo, and Rover app developers.
The first Summer Business Academy whets the entrepreneurial spirit of a new generation: high-schoolers.
2010
2012
Mt. Auburn Productions premieres as HSA Video.
The Harvard Shop’s third location opens at 65 Mt. Auburn St., just beside HSA HQ.
2013
2014
HSA welcomes its 13th and 14th agencies, GroupGear and Boston Apparel Co.
HSA Cleaners moves to its current home at 69 Mt. Auburn St., bringing all of HSA’s agencies together again.
2015
2017
HSA founds DEV, a web and app development company that employs student engineers (front and backend) and designers (UX/UI and graphics).
HSA acquires student-founded startup Campus Insights, a Gen Z and millennial user research firm.
2018
2019
The Summer Business Academy is rebranded to The Academies at Harvard, teaching more than 600 high school students about business, coding, politics, and pre-medical sciences.
HSA acquires Trademark Tours, the most successful and well-respected visitor services company in Harvard Square.
2021
2022
The Harvard Shop opens its flagship location on Mass Ave., right in the heart of Harvard Square.
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