Dec 4: Holiday Party

Graphic reads "Holiday Party" in green with History Cambridge and Paddy's logos

We’ve had a great year learning about North Cambridge, and we’re excited to close out the year with you! We can’t think of a better place to celebrate than Paddy’s, the oldest family-owned pub in Cambridge. Party Details Wednesday, December 4, 20246:00 PM–8:00 PMPaddy’s Lunch260 Walden Street Thanks to the over 75 people who joined…

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Chinese Americans of Cambridge Oral History Project

Oral History Project

In 2022-2024, we interviewed several individuals about their experiences being Chinese or Chinese American in Cambridge. Interviews were conducted by volunteer Justin Murphy and History Cambridge Executive Director Marieke Van Damme. Click on the individuals below to hear their stories.

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Nick’s Beef and Beer House

Years 1971 – 1998 Location 1688 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard/Porter Square History The fact that it was more identifiably called “Nick’s eef and eer Ho”, or “Nick’s Bee and Beer Hose,” depending on which letters were missing from its sign, kind of says it all. Nick’s had a loyal following, despite (or because of) its unabashed,…

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Joyce Chen Restaurant

Compiled by Deb Mandel, 2022 Locations 617 Concord Ave, 1958-1971 The Joyce Chen Small Eating Place (1967-1988) 302 Massachusetts Avenue  Joyce Chen Restaurant (1969-1974) 500 Memorial Drive Website: https://joycechenfoods.com/legacy/ History Joyce Chen was Boston’s first real celebrity restaurateur and holds indisputable importance in American culinary history. In the same era Julia Child was changing America’s…

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Cambridge School of Culinary Arts

Compiled by Deb Mandel, 2022 Years 1974 – present Location 2020 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square Website: https://cambridgeculinary.com/ History In 1974, Roberta L. Dowling began teaching classes on European cooking in her home, an endeavor whose popularity precipitated the opening of an established school of culinary arts. Roberta graduated from Madeleine Kaman’s Modern Gourmet cooking school…

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India Pavilion 

Compiled by Deb Mandel, 2022 Years 1979 – present Location 17 Central Square, Western Ave. Website: https://indiapavilion.com/ History Indian food in New England was born here. ​In 1979, Mohan Singh bought a Central Square pizza house and turned it into an Indian restaurant – something not found anywhere else in Boston at the time. Not…

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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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Legal Seafoods

Compiled by Deb Mandel, 2002 Years 1950 –   Cambridge Locations 237 Hampshire St., Inman Square 1950 -1980 5 Cambridge St., Kendall Square   1982- present Charles Square, Harvard Square   2003-2020 Website: https://www.legalseafoods.com/about-us History The original “Legal’s” thrived in Inman Square for a generation. This was where locals, including the loyal Julia Child, ate clam…

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