History Cambridge

08/25/2026

Only a few spots left!

Join History Cambridge and the Cambridge Center for Adult Education (CCAE) for a 3-week course: "Cambridge’s Black Community: Seizing Freedom and Creating Community."

Explore the rich, powerful history of Black Cantabrigians—from early settlement to the present day—and discover how their lives and achievements shaped our city.

🗓️ Dates: Tuesdays, Oct 6, 13, & 20
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Location: CCAE (42 Brattle St)

Reserve your seat before it sells out: https://historycambridge.org/events/ccae-black-community/

08/19/2026

Looking for a different kind of dinner party? 🍽️✨

Join us on Monday, September 28, for a unique and memorable evening designed to foster deeper connections and build a true sense of community. Taking inspiration from listening circles, we will gather face-to-face at a single table to share a collective meal and conversation where every voice is heard by everyone.

We will be exploring the theme of sustaining a "sense of place," using personal history to reflect on the stories that shape our city today—and whose voices might be left out. Whether you’ve lived in Cambridge for five minutes or five generations, your story matters. Come prepared to share, listen actively, and build your Cambridge circle!

🗓️ Monday, September 28, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM – 7:45 PM
📍 Citywide Senior Center (806 Massachusetts Ave)
🎟️ FREE, but registration is required. All ages welcome!

Space is strictly limited to ensure an intimate table discussion, so don't wait to reserve your seat at the table.

https://buff.ly/79vkItf

As one past guest shared: "It was valuable just to be in dialogue with neighbors. This builds the 'community' that we are all afraid of losing due to change."

Special thanks to Cambridge Savings Bank for making this dinner free to all!

08/13/2026

Check out this upcoming event with our friends at the Community Art The Community Art Center!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-art-center-artist-talk-book-signing-tickets-1994110165184?aff=oddtdtcreator

08/12/2026

History Cambridge had a great time getting to know the people (and dogs) of Granville Road last weekend. Thanks for inviting us to your block party!

Are you looking to bring some hyperlocal history to your upcoming gathering? Get in touch!

https://buff.ly/gidejjW

08/10/2026

"Let the poorer people in Cambridge have a fair chance to be clean." 💧

At the turn of the 20th century, Magazine Beach wasn't just a place to cool off—it was a critical frontline for public hygiene and disease prevention.

Read our latest blog post on the political battles and public outrage that reshaped Cambridge's riverfront bathhouse.

🔗 https://buff.ly/QmeWdc1

By Beth Folsom, 2026 In 1818 the state of Massachusetts built a powder magazine on what was then known as Captain’s Island in Cambridgeport. Over the next half-century, the magazine was used to store gunpowder and ammunition, lending its name to the area and the street leading to it (Magazine Stre...

08/05/2026

We are just one week away from diving into the history of "Confectioners' Row"! 🍬

Did you know Cambridge was once home to 66 different candy companies? Next week, we’re hitting the streets to explore the fascinating history of candy-making in our city from the 18th to the 20th centuries. We'll chat about the local factories you know and love, while also looking at the complex global sugar trade and economic ties that shaped this industry.

Whether you have your own local candy stories to share or just want to learn something new with your neighbors, we’d love to have you join the conversation.

Tour Options:
Weekday: Wednesday, August 12 from 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Weekend: Sunday, August 16 from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Details:
Cost: $15
Registration: Required for both dates so we can keep the walking group comfortable for everyone.

Spots are filling up fast for next week—grab yours at the link below!
https://buff.ly/xoZllAV

08/04/2026

Join History Cambridge and the Cambridge Center for Adult Education (CCAE) for a 3-week course: "Cambridge’s Black Community: Seizing Freedom and Creating Community."

Explore the rich, powerful history of Black Cantabrigians—from early settlement to the present day—and discover how their lives and achievements shaped our city.

🗓️ Dates: Tuesdays, Oct 6, 13, & 20
⏰ Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 Location: CCAE (42 Brattle St)

Reserve your seat before it sells out: https://historycambridge.org/events/ccae-black-community/

08/03/2026

We had a wonderful time soaking up the summer weather yesterday at Crafting Cambridge’s Past! The big crafting winners were those relating to East Cambridge.

You can learn more about the industries behind the art:
East Cambridge Coffin Industry: https://buff.ly/KR6CoTv
Early Glassmaking: https://buff.ly/3NXe9Ux

This great event was brought to you by Cambridge Plays and the City of Cambridge. Thank you for providing refreshments and craft supplies! 🎨

07/31/2026

Discover the wartime history of Fresh Pond in our latest blog post!

Beyond being a scenic drinking water reservoir and green space for Cantabrigians, Fresh Pond has served as a critical refuge and military resource during times of war:

In the American Revolution, women and children sheltered along its shores during the battle of Lexington and Concord, and George Washington later established a smallpox hospital here.

In 1861, nearly 1,000 Union soldiers transformed an unused ice house on the eastern shore into "Camp Ellsworth" barracks.

In World War I (1917, Harvard ROTC cadets dug mock Western Front trenches under the guidance of French officers to practice gr***de throwing and trench warfare.

Swipe through to see archival photos of WWI training exercises right here in Cambridge, then read the full story on our blog! https://buff.ly/hkg8tdT

Image credit: Photos by Herbert Turner, Courtesy National Archives.

07/26/2026

Next Sunday! Discover the rich maker history of Cambridge through hands-on crafting. History Cambridge invites you to Crafting Cambridge’s Past, an afternoon dedicated to exploring the unique stories of local artisans who shaped our city.

Participants of all ages can try their hand at interactive crafts inspired by some of our city's historic industries:

Bookmaking: Celebrate the city's deep publishing and literary legacy.

Glasswork: Create art inspired by historic Cambridge glass companies.

Clay & Pottery: Connect with the heritage of early local brick and pottery creators.

Coffin Painting: Explore a unique piece of East Cambridge’s industrial past through a popular miniature painting activity.

This event is funded by the City of Cambridge through their Cambridge Plays initiative.

📅 Event Details
When: Sunday, August 2, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Rain date: August 9)
Where: Mayor Alfred E. Vellucci Community Plaza (Hampshire St, Inman Square)
Cost: Free for all ages
Registration: None required; just show up.

Stop by to connect with neighbors, share local lore, and take home your own tangible piece of the past.

https://buff.ly/gvQ1VZg