We use history to catalyze the connections that make Cambridge, Massachusetts more vibrant and cohesive.
Dec 6: Community Exhibition object drop-off
Saturday, December 6: 11 am – 2 pmSunday, December 7: 11 am – 2 pmEast Cambridge History Center, 625 Cambridge Street History Cambridge is calling on all community members to help us tell the story of East Cambridge Do you have an object, photograph, document, or piece of art that represents what East Cambridge means…
Dec. 6 & 7: Open House at the Pop-Up
Details Saturday, December 6: 11 am-2 pmSunday, December 7: 11 am- 2 pmEast Cambridge History Center625 Cambridge StreetFree; just pop-in Come say hi! History Cambridge is thrilled to invite the community to an open house at our temporary pop-up location at 625 Cambridge Street, the former site of the historic Mayflower Poultry, right in the…
Dec 7: We Were Here
Sunday, December 72 pmFoundry Theater101 Rogers Street, CambridgeFree; no registration required We Were Here: An Enhanced Performance Arranged and written by Betsy Bard and Micaela León Perdomo, We Were Here is a play exploring the history of immigrant workers at the Blake & Knowles Foundry in East Cambridge by Youth Underground from Central Square Theater.…
Dec. 10: Mayflower Memories
Mayflower Memories: Gathering Stories of East Cambridge Wednesday, December 106-7 pmEast Cambridge History Center625 Cambridge StreetFree Join History Cambridge for “Mayflower Memories,” a special program dedicated to preserving the vibrant history of East Cambridge, focused on the iconic Mayflower Poultry business and the surrounding neighborhood. This event offers a unique opportunity to gather, connect, and…
Event highlights how throughout Cambridge’s history, sharing food has been sharing culture
by Beth Folsom, 2025 Stephen Chen was a child attending Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in Cambridge when a call went out for contributions to the school’s annual bake sale. Chen’s mother, Joyce Chen, baked a batch of cookies to donate and some egg rolls to bring along. To her surprise, the egg rolls were…
The Rise of Industry in East Cambridge
From Salt Marshes to Industrial Hub: The Story of East Cambridge The area we now know as East Cambridge was for many centuries largely salt marshes and mud flats that, 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…
Do your own research (on Cambridge history)
By Michael Kuchta, 2025 As the city of Cambridge approaches its 400th anniversary and the nation its 250th, many people find themselves more interested in our collective past. You may be curious about the history of your street or neighborhood. Who built these buildings and when? Who lived and worked here? What products were made nearby?…
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
2025 is our year of East Cambridge See what events we’ve got planned! 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…
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
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…
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.
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