For one week houses were talking all over Cambridgeport!
"If This House Could Talk..." was a part of a celebration of Cambridgeport History on October 3, 2009. (Learn more about Cambridgeport History Day)
On October 3 through 12, 2009 Cambridgeport neighbors and businesses displayed original signs sharing choice tidbits about events—contemporary or historic, personal or public—that happened in their buildings. The program was developed by Cathie Zusy. Additional information is below.
Sample signs
for 202 Hamilton St.
If This House Could Talk. . .
“It would tell you that writer Jill Rena Bloom once lived here, author of Harlequin romances and books helping parents to better advocate for their children with special needs. And around back in the garage, in 1979, Jill’s husband Ron Mooradian established Mooradian Cover Co., which still, today, manufactures soft case musical instrument covers for classical and jazz musicians worldwide. (This company remains in operation, but in Boston.)”
A sign could be simpler or more personal:
for 72 Chestnut St.
“Family lore says that local builder Clinton M. Packer built this house as a wedding gift for his wife about 130 years ago.”
Or, for a fictitious address!
“It was here, on the night of February 14, 2005, that Fred and Frederica decided to share their lives. They were married in 2007 and reside here still.”
The locations and links to the texts of these signs is below.
"If This House Could Talk..."
Locations
More information on the program
Sign Location List for “If This House Could Talk…” with links to the text of the signs at those locations.
- Acorn Street:
10 Acorn
21 Acorn - Allston Street:
225 Allston - Auburn Street:
154 Auburn - Brookline Street:
219 Brookline - Chestnut Street:
59 Chestnut
65 Chestnut
65R Chestnut
69 Chestnut
72 Chestnut
120 Chestnut
137 Chestnut
172 Chestnut - Cottage Street:
13 Cottage
23 Cottage
24 Cottage
44 Cottage - Dana Park (corner of Magazine and Corporal McTernan)
- Erie Street:
215 Erie
202 Erie - Fairmont Avenue:
20 Fairmont
23 Fairmont - Fairmont Street:
16 Fairmont - Fort Washington Park (corner of Waverly & Reardon St.)
- Granite Street:
Morse School @ 40 Granite
51 Granite
City Sprouts Garden @15 Granite
Playground - Hastings Square
- Hamilton Street:
Good News Garage @ 75 Hamilton
147 Hamilton
157 Hamilton
190 Hamilton
198 Hamilton
202 Hamilton
207 Hamilton
212 Hamilton - Henry Street:
75 Henry
92-94 Henry - Lawrence Street:
4 Lawrence
21 Lawrence - Magazine Street
42 Magazine
Grace Church @ 56 Magazine
Arden Court @ 57-59Magazine
84 Magazine
Village Grill & Seafood @ 114
127 Magazine
132 Magazine
170-174 Magazine
- Massachusetts Avenue:
Ten Thousand Villages @ 694 Mass Ave
- Cpl. McTernan Street:
Park View Coop @ 24 & 26 McTernan - Pearl Street
Central Sq. Library @ 45 Pearl
118 Pearl
126-128 Pearl
139 Pearl
209 Pearl
215 Pearl
238 Pearl
263 Pearl
209 Pearl
285 Pearl
321 Pearl
346 Pearl - Perry Street:
9 Perry
17 Perry
18 Perry
19 Perry - Putnam Avenue:
460 Putnam - River Street:
91 River - Upton
16 Upton - Western Avenue:
Bedworks @ 15 Western - William Street:
3 William
9 William
12 William
14 William