We engage with Cambridge, Massachusetts, to explore how the past influences the present in order to shape a better future.
September 28: Hidden Huron Village: A Fundraiser for History Cambridge
Save the date for September 28, 2023 — Hidden Huron Village: A Fundraiser for History Cambridge!
June 18: Annual Juneteenth Gathering at Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters
Gather for Juneteenth to honor those who endured slavery and seized freedom on Brattle Street before the American Revolution, their living descendants, and the long history of Black freedom activism in Cambridge and beyond. This event will feature a community gathering with music, poetry, art, speeches, and family activities, followed by a screening of the award-winning 2022 documentary Descendant.
September 9: How Should Fort Washington Park Evolve?
Above image: Fort Washington Park December 30, 1926. Credit: Cambridge Historical Commission via Digital Commonwealth NEW NEW NEW DATE September 9, 202310:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDTFort Washington Park at the intersection of Waverly St and Reardon Streets This is a free drop in event without any formal programming or registration required. Leashed dogs are…
Marking Cambridge’s 400th Anniversary
The year 2030 marks the 400th anniversary of Cambridge, Massachusetts (originally settled as New Towne in 1630 by the Massachusetts Bay Company). This momentous occasion is an opportunity for the people of Cambridge to reflect on our past, celebrate, and establish plans for sustaining our history into the future.
‘Beating the Belt’ highlights women’s activism fighting against state’s superhighway project
The stay-at-home mothers with young children of the 1960s forged friendships fighting alongside other community activists in a yearslong battle against the Inner Belt and the destruction of thousands of local homes and businesses.
Ice Cream has a cool local history, and it begins with the ice itself, carved from our local ponds
Americans consume more ice cream per year than residents of any other country, and residents of Cambridge and Somerville have reason to eat even more.
‘Reading Frederick Douglass Together’ events mark the Fourth poignantly and powerfully
Public readings of “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” have become increasingly widespread and popular as an American celebration of how far we have come and contemplation of how much we have left to do.
Fort Washington History Hub
Fort Washington Park is the last remaining fortification from the Revolutionary War in Cambridge, but the park and neighborhood hold rich histories beyond the Revolutionary era. This History Hub contains materials that details the eras of the park
Cambridgeport History Hub
History Hub for all things Cambridgeport
Culinary History Hub
Culinary History of Cambridge By Rain Robertson, and revised by Deb Mandel, 2022 Cambridge holds a rich and distinctive culinary history. It gave America ice, the Porterhouse steak, Peking ravioli, its first star chef in Julia Child, and a hankering for Indian food. This is a survey of 20th century markets, delis, cafeterias, and local…
Indigenous Peoples History Hub
Curious about the Indigenous history of this place? Start learning here.
Inner Belt Hub
Cambridge had a major role in battling one highway for decades and eventually sparking a process that created a powerful coalition that led officials to remake transportation policy for the Boston area inside Route 128
Black History in Cambridge: Online Resources Hub
Above Image: Saundra Graham speaks into a megaphone during the occupation of 319th Harvard Commencement June 11, 1970 (Courtesy Cambridge Historical Commission) Delve into these online resources that explore Black history in Cambridge. More programs and events about Cambridge’s Black history are being planned. To be notified, sign up for our monthly enewsletter. Articles Self-Guided…
Early Black Cambridge Resource Hub
Are you interested in learning more about the history of race, slavery, and African American life in the Cambridge area? This guide highlights many of the resources available that touch on these topics, including primary, secondary, and public-facing sources (such as self-guided tours and websites). While this hub is focused on material related to the…
Women’s History Hub
Profiles included: Barbara Ackermann | Maria Baldwin | Ann Bookman | Sara Chapman Bull | Joyce Chen | Helen Lee Franklin | Suzanne R. Green | Lois Lilley Howe | Edith Lesley | Eva Neer | Mercy Scollay | Elizabeth Sullivan | Phyllis Wallace Our 2020 theme was Who Are Cambridge Women? But why spend…
Businesses Well Lived
As part of our ongoing work to capture Cambridge history, we partnered with Cambridge Local First to reach out to local small business owners and find out how the pandemic has affected their livelihood.
Lois Lilley Howe Hub
As part of our year asking “Who Are Cambridge Women?” meet Lois Lilley Howe. Learn about her life and work.
Curious About Forgotten Souls of Tory Row?
In 2022, History Cambridge was awarded an Arts for Social Justice grant from Cambridge Arts. We selected the artist collaborative Black Coral, Inc. for the project and installation began in May 2022, with the art on view from June 1st 2022 through April 7th 2023. “Forgotten Souls of Tory Row: Remembering the Enslaved People of Brattle Street” honors the enslaved adults and children who lived and worked on this land as well as those whose labor on Caribbean plantations helped finance the grand homes of white Tory Row elites.
Search Our Site
Find original research by History Cambridge staff, interns, volunteers, and community members, including articles, oral histories, and online exhibitions. Search results also include our finding aids, which describe archival materials you can make an appointment to view in person.
Shed light on untold stories and silenced voices.
Passionate about Cambridge history? Support our mission by volunteering with History Cambridge Corps.