Baldwin, Cambridge, Massachusetts facts for kids
Baldwin is a neighborhood in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. It's like a special part of the city, one of thirteen neighborhoods that make up Cambridge.
This area has a few different names. It was once called Agassiz. People also know it as Harvard North, Area 8, or Agassiz/Baldwin.
Baldwin is located in a specific part of Cambridge. To the west, you'll find Massachusetts Avenue. Cambridge Street, Quincy Street, and Kirkland Street are to the south. Porter Square is to the north, and the border with Somerville is to the northeast.
A very important place in this neighborhood is the Maria L. Baldwin Elementary School. This school was known as the Agassiz School until 2002.
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Why the Name Changed
The Baldwin neighborhood used to be named after Louis Agassiz. He was a biologist and geologist who lived a long time ago. He taught at Harvard University.
However, Louis Agassiz held some ideas that are now seen as very harmful. These ideas suggested that people from different backgrounds were not equal. Because of these outdated and unfair beliefs, many places named after him have been renamed.
In 2021, the neighborhood was officially renamed Baldwin. This new name honors Maria Louise Baldwin. She was an amazing African American educator.
Who Was Maria Louise Baldwin?
Maria Louise Baldwin (1856-1922) was a principal at the very same school in this neighborhood. At that time, it was called the Agassiz School. She made history as the first Black woman principal in all of New England.
Her leadership and dedication to education were truly inspiring. Renaming the neighborhood after her celebrates her important contributions.
How the Change Happened
The idea to change the neighborhood's name started with a high school student. Maya Counter, a student from Cambridge, suggested the change to the City Council in 2020. Her proposal helped make the renaming possible.
What's in Baldwin Today?
The Baldwin neighborhood is home to parts of two universities. You can find campuses for Lesley University here. Also, the Harvard University Law School is located in Baldwin.
In 2005, about 5,241 people lived in the Baldwin neighborhood. They lived in about 1,891 homes.
