Cambridge archive repositories open their doors again this June, from Harvard astronomy to DPW

By Viv Williams

Cambridge Open Archives is back in person, June 5-9!

This free annual event, hosted by the Cambridge Historical Commission, gives residents of Cambridge an opportunity to speak with archivists across the city and explore historic records housed in their very own neighborhoods. 

This year, join us as 10 repositories open their doors for a week of scheduled presentations and tours. Each institution has prepared a presentation with illustrative materials from their own collections including displays of photographs, correspondence, documents, maps, art and more, celebrating the legacies of people, concepts and inventions born in Cambridge.

Please note: While the event is free, spots are limited and registration is required. Browse the scheduled presentations and register on our landing page.

Participating collections include the MIT Distinctive Collections, Department of Public Works, Cambridge Historical Commission, Cambridge Public Library, Harvard Astronomical Photographic Glass Plate Collection, History Cambridge, Mount Auburn Cemetery, Houghton Library, Harvard Art Museums and Longfellow House-Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site.

Follow the Instagram hashtag #CambridgeOpenArchives and check out our Instagram account @cambridgehistoricalcommission for information. Different participants post each day of Open Archives week, so keep checking the app for updates and posts. 

Add likes, comments, or questions on the posts so we know what you think!

This article was originally published in our “Did You Know?” column in Cambridge Day.