Cambridge Common Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Cambridge Common Historic District
|
|
 |
|
 Location in Massachusetts
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Garden, Waterhouse, Cambridge, and Peabody Sts., and Massachusetts Ave. (original) Roughly NW of Waterhouse St. on Concord Ave. between Garden and Follen Sts. (boundary increase and decrease), Cambridge, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Architect | Whitney, Anne; Multiple |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne, Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival |
| MPS | Cambridge MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000281 (original) 87000499 (Boundary Increase and Decrease) |
| Added to NRHP | April 13, 1973 (original) January 26, 1987 (Boundary Increase and Decrease) |
The Cambridge Common Historic District is a special area in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It's known for being one of the oldest parts of the city. This district is centered around the Cambridge Common, a big park that was very important when Cambridge was first founded in 1631.
Many important events happened here. In 1636, the governor for the Massachusetts Bay Colony was chosen on the Common. It also served as a camp for soldiers during the American Revolutionary War. Over time, the Common became smaller, turning into the triangle shape you see today. Buildings grew up around it in the 1700s and 1800s.
In 1973, this whole area, including the Common and buildings nearby, was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a really important historical spot! Later, in 1987, the district's borders were adjusted a bit to make more sense.
What Buildings Are in the District?
Today, the district includes many cool buildings. West of the Common, across Waterhouse Street, you'll find the Christian Science Church. This church has a classic design. You'll also see old brick apartment buildings and the Frost-Waterhouse House from 1753. This is the oldest house in the whole district!
North of the Common, across Massachusetts Avenue, you can see Hemenway Gymnasium. Hastings Hall and Gannet House are also part of the district here. The Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church is another notable building in this area.
To the south, across Garden Street, there's the Old Burying Ground. This is an old cemetery. You'll also find The First Parish in Cambridge and Christ Church. Christ Church is so important it's a National Historic Landmark! Several historic houses are also located on this side.
Farwell Street's Historic Homes
The 1987 update to the district also added a small group of homes on Farwell Street. This is a dead-end street connected to the main district by a path near the Old Burying Ground. These homes are very well-preserved. They show what the area around Harvard Square looked like long ago, when it was mostly a neighborhood with houses.
Notable People Buried Here
The Old Burying Ground within the district is the final resting place for some people from Cambridge's early history.
- Cicely, a Black woman who was enslaved by William Brattle.
