We use history to catalyze the connections that make Cambridge, Massachusetts more vibrant and cohesive.
May 7: History Hang: West Cambridge Walk
Join us for a casual walk in West Cambridge. We’ll stop at two beloved West Cambridge green spaces along the way and learn more about the history of the neighborhood together with community experts. Meet new and old friends and enjoy some time outdoors with History Cambridge! Dress for the weather. The walk lasts about…
May 13: Warren Milteer Jr. and Susan Tomlinson
Wednesday, May 13, 20266:00pm – 7:30pm Cambridge Public Library Lecture Hall 449 BroadwayFree; please register Join the Cambridge Black History Project, the Cambridge Public Library, and History Cambridge in welcoming Warren Eugene Milteer Jr. for a reading and discussion of his new book, Out of This Strife Will Come Freedom: Free People of Color and the Fight for…
May 30: Dana Park Meet-Up + Game
“Save Dana Park” AI-guided interactive puzzle game Saturday, May 30, 2–4 PM (Sunday rain date)Dana Park, CambridgePlan for the game to take about 1 hourBring a charged phone and shoes for paths and grassFree snacks!Recommended for ages 10+; younger kids are welcome with a grown-up nearbyFree to play; donations appreciatedNo pre-registration — just show up…
2026 Block Party Season
Gathering with your neighbors? In planning your annual (or first!) neighborhood block party, consider inviting History Cambridge. We’ll set up our History Kit, complete with historical information about your street and the wider Cambridge community. This free service goes quickly, so be sure to get on our calendar early. What is a History Kit? Since…
Commemoration of Cambridge’s 275th Anniversary Reflects City’s Changing Face
By Beth Folsom, 2026 In December 1905, a large audience assembled in Sanders Theater to hear an array of “notable men” speak on the occasion of the 275th anniversary of the founding of the city we now know as Cambridge. The Cambridge Historical Society had been formed earlier that year, and this anniversary celebration was…
A Century of the Cambridge Humane Society and Changing Approaches to Mitigating Poverty
By Beth Folsom, 2026 Today, the phrase “humane society” conjures up notions of a group dedicated to animal welfare and finding homes for adoptable pets. But in previous centuries, humane societies were organizations created to save and enhance human lives. Modeled on the Royal Humane Society that had been established in Britain in 1774, the…
Debate Over Fugitive Slave Act Raises Questions of “Lawful Authority”
By Beth Folsom, 2026 On April 5, 1851, the Cambridge Chronicle reported that “an alleged fugitive named Robert Symmes was arrested in Boston on a warrant from Geo. T. Curtis, Esq., U.S. Commissioner. Symmes is alleged to be the slave of James Potter, of Chatham County, Ga.” In his struggle against arrest, Symmes allegedly “inflicted…
West Cambridge History Hub
2026 is our year of West Cambridge! Check out our upcoming events A Brief History of West Cambridge As defined by the City of Cambridge’s Community Development Department, the neighborhood of West Cambridge is bounded on the west by Fresh Pond, on the north by Concord Avenue, on the south by the Charles River and…
American Revolution in Cambridge
Introduction Cambridge has been part of America’s Revolutionary story from its beginnings, even before the outbreak of the war for independence. On Sept. 1, 1774, Cambridge residents responded to the news that Gen. Thomas Gage, royal governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay, had ordered the removal of gunpowder from a magazine (a powder storage…
East Cambridge History Hub
A Brief History of East Cambridge The area that we now know as East Cambridge was for many centuries largely salt marshes and mud flats which, at low tide, virtually cut the area off from other parts of the city, as well as from Boston. The rich oyster beds contained there served as an important…
LGBTQ+ History Hub
This hub is a work in progress. Have some resources to add? Let us know! In This Hub Introduction Cambridge is a well-known leader in LGBTQ+ rights. The city was first in Massachusetts to perform gender-affirming surgery in 1972, and in 2004 it became first in the country to grant same-sex marriage licenses. City government…
North Cambridge History Hub
North Cambridge History Hub
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
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.
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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.
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