A Celebration of Cambridgeport History is organized by the Cambridgeport History Project, co-chaired by Henrietta Davis and Michael Kenney.
Partners include: |
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A Celebration of Cambridgeport History
Including “If This House Could Talk…”
October 3, 2009, Rain or Shine!
"If This House Could Talk"
Check out the locations of the signs
Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association Potluck
"If This House Could Talk..."
Check out the locations of the ITHCT Signs
What happened in your neighborhood two, or twenty, or two hundred years ago? Celebrate Cambridgeport with a variety of walking tours, an encampment and ceremony at Fort Washington, and other exciting activities.
“If This House Could Talk . . .” invites residents and visitors to explore the intimate history of this rich neighborhood. On October 3 and 4, Cambridgeport neighbors and businesses will display original signs sharing choice tidbits about events—contemporary or historic, personal or public—that happened in their buildings. (These signs will complement the neighborhood’s official historic markers.) Cathie Zusy, the project’s organizer, hopes that “neighbors will stroll around, discovering great stories that took place just around the corner.” Interested explorers may pick up a map of historic sites and a list of sign locations on Saturday, October 3 from 10am-5pm at Dana Park.
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Fort Washington Rededication
The day will also include the noontime rededication of Fort Washington Park, the only survivor of a chain of small forts ordered built by George Washington in 1775 to defend against the British occupiers of Boston. Gardner’s Regiment, a local group of Revolutionary War re-enactors, will be encamped at the fort from 11am to 2pm and will participate in the rededication.
Among the other activities planned for Saturday are:
Charles Sullivan, Executive Director of the Cambridge Historical Commission, will lead a walking tour of Cambridgeport, starting at Fort Washington at 1pm and ending at Dana Park at 2:30pm.
Activities in Dana Park
From 2:30-5pm, local community groups will provide entertainment and activities for children and adults, including:
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“If This House Could Talk…” booth
10am-5pm Go to the ITHCT booth for lists of sign locations, a brand new official historic map of the neighborhood (developed by Michael Kenney in association with the CHS), and copies of 1857, 1873 and 1916 maps of Cambridgeport for study. - A Mystery History Photo Contest (Cambridge Historical Society)
Test your knowledge of Cambridgeport past and present. Look at photographs of buildings and building details; if you can identify all or most of the images, you’ll win a prize and bragging rights as a Cambridgeport expert. Led by the Cambridge Historical Society
- History Rubbings (Gallery 263)
All ages are welcome to create a colorful artistic record of things from the past by rubbing objects from old Cambridge buildings, tools, and printing presses. Let a little history rub off on you! Led by Annie Newbold and David Craft, Gallery 263
- Memory Lane: Walking Routes Celebrating Cambridge Women’s History
Take a self-guided tour of the neighborhood focusing on the contributions of local women: poets, police officers, librarians, artists, suffragists, and social activists.
Organized by the Cambridge Women’s Commission, brochures at the Cambridge Historical Society booth
- Collage Houses:
Kids will create 2-D paper houses and then add them to a huge paper "map" of a city. Led by Hazel Ryerson
- New Art: “Dana Park Quotes”
See a new public artwork at Dana Park. You might even meet residents who contributed to it!
- A Long History of the River - Led by the Riverside Boat Club
- Cambridge Community Poem
Meet the city’s New Poet Populist, Jean-Dany Joachim, and contribute to the Cambridge Community Poem.
- Sidewalk Histories – Brookline Street Mosaics
Experience new neighborhood public artwork and learn the histories of individuals, businesses and locations along Brookline Street.
Led by the Cambridge Arts Council
Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association Potluck
As part of the History Day festivities there will a community party and pot luck at Dana Park, open to all, commencing at 4 p.m. Help make the party a success and bring a tasty pot luck dish and/or beverages. For further information about the Dana Park party and pot luck, please contact the Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association, c/o Bill August at billaugustUSA@aol.com.
For further information, e-mail: cport@cambridgehistory.org or call the Cambridge Historical Society at 617-547-4252.
