The union was designed McKim, Mead & White and built in 1900; it was their first commission on the Harvard University campus.

It is a large 2-1/2 story brick building, with neo-Georgian styling that is more reminiscent of English Georgian architecture than that found in North America.

[2] The concept of the union was to provide a social space to students otherwise not members of the university's more exclusive final clubs.

It was "made possible by the gift of Mr. Henry Lee Higginson, who was the donor also of Soldier's Field, and is a club which every member of the university may join; the annual dues are ten dollars.

It has a very large and fine building, with a magnificent hall, comfortable reading-rooms, pleasant dining-rooms, and a good library.