June 17: 617 Day Block Party in Harvard Square

The image is a flyer for a "617 Day" block party. Here's a breakdown of the content: Top Section: "FREE ENTRY!" and "HEADLINER: TORI TORI" are prominently displayed at the top. Left Side (Large Text): "BLOCK PARTY!" in large, orange, block letters. Below that: "Celebrate Our Small Business Community with" and "CAMBRIDGE LOCAL FIRST". Right Side (Green Bubbles): "LIVE MUSIC" "BEER GARDEN" "WINE TRUCK" "GAMES AND MORE!" Middle Section (Location and Date): "WINTHROP STREET" "HARVARD SQUARE" "TUESDAY, JUNE 17" "5 PM - 11 PM" "RAINDATE: WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18" Bottom Left: A large green circle with "617 DAY" inside it. Bottom Center/Right: Logos for "CITY OF CAMBRIDGE" and "Cambridge Community Foundation".

Cambridge Local First Presents the 617 Day Block Party in Harvard Square Tuesday, June 17, 2025Winthrop Street, Harvard Square5:00 PM – 11:00 PMRain Date: Wednesday, June 18th Get ready for an evening of fun, community spirit, and local pride! Cambridge Local First is thrilled to announce a FREE entry block party to celebrate 617 Day…

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May 18: Inman Square events

📣 Double the fun in Inman Square on Sunday, May 18th from 12-4 PM Join History Cambridge for TWO exciting events happening simultaneously: 🍔 Inman Eats & Crafts (Cambridge Street between Springfield & Prospect): Presented by the East Cambridge Business Association (ECBA), indulge in delicious bites from local restaurants (get your Inman Bucks), browse unique…

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Innovation in Cambridge

Innovation in Cambridge. Left side is black and white photo of person working at a brick factory. On right is person seated in a lab coat with rubber gloves.

Researched and written by Katie MacDonald, 2012 Introduction It’s nearly impossible to get through a single day without using something born right here in Cambridge. Think about it: from the childhood vaccines that protected you to the software powering your computer, the ice cooling your drink, or the screen displaying this very text – Cambridge’s…

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May 13: History Café: Squire’s Meat and East Cambridge’s Fight for Change

History Cafe: Industry, Labor, and Community. Squire's Meat and East Cambridge's Fight for Change. Drawing of a Squire's lard bucket.

Industry, Labor, and Community: Squire’s Meat and East Cambridge’s Fight for Change Tuesday, May 136-7 pmEast Cambridge Savings Bank292 Cambridge Street Thanks to everyone for joining us! About the event From the time of its founding in the 1840s, the John P. Squire & Co. meat processing plant was a major force in East Cambridge…

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Oct 23: Party at Pemberton: A Fundraiser for History Cambridge

Thank you to all who came out for our Party at Pemberton. We had a wonderful time learning about the history of the store and creating community. The hospitality of Greg Saidnawey and his team are unmatched! Guests left with delicious treats from Spindler Confections and a greater appreciation for this special neighborhood space. Your…

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Old North Cambridge

By Thomas F. O’Malley, 1929 The literature of Cambridge contains but little relating to the early days in North Cambridge. This does not necessarily mean that North Cambridge history is lacking in interest, but rather that the subject has not been written up. The region between Harvard Square and Alewife Brook is rich in historic…

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Culinary History Hub

Man and a woman standing in front of a counter smiling

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…

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Simeone’s 

Compiled by Deb Mandel, 2022 Years  1949-1976 Locations 41 Pearl St. (1946-1949) 21 Brookline St. (1949-1976) History Simeone’s, whose motto was, “choice foods skillfully prepared served promptly and courteously,” opened on February 24, 1949 on Brookline street in Central Square, after moving from its original 60-seat 41 Pearl St. location. Its menu included pizza, popular…

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The Tasty Sandwich Shop

Compiled by Deb Mandel, 2022 Years 1916 – 1997 Location 2a JFK St., Harvard Square History The 24-hour/day Tasty Sandwich Shop, a beloved character in the heart of Harvard Square, was located in the demolished Read Block building, former site of Colonial poet Anne Bradstreet’s home. The Tasty was a no-frills, 300 square foot, 12-seat…

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Cardullo’s Gourmet Shop

Compiled by Deb Mandel, 2022 Years 1950-present Location 6 Brattle St., Harvard Square Website: https://cardullos.com/ History On April 1st, 1950, Frank Natali Cardullo set out to fill a niche supplying quality foods for the neighborhood’s international community. Cardullo was born in Messina, Italy in 1915 and came to Boston in 1929, originally to become a…

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