Self-Guided Tour: Lois Lilley Howe Homes of Gray Gardens

By John Howe, volunteer, Spring 2020 Lois Lilley Howe (1864-1964), born and bred in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was one of the first women to graduate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s architectural program, the organizer of the only all-woman architectural firm in Boston in the early twentieth century, and the first woman elected as a Fellow of…

Read More

POSTPONED 2020 Spring Benefit

The Cambridge Historical Society is closely monitoring the recent outbreak of COVID-19. We continue to evaluate all measures in response to available information from the Cambridge Public Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Any changes to our event schedule will be communicated via our website, email, and social media. If you have further…

Read More

An Intrepid Lady of Brattle Street: Sara Chapman Bull

By Ted Hansen Beginning in 1879, until her death in 1911, Sara Chapman Bull lived in Cambridge, first at “Elmwood” (the Oliver-Gerry-Lowell House), and from 1889 until her death at 168 Brattle Street. A number of facts about her should pique our interest: At age 20, she was married in a semi-secret ceremony in Norway…

Read More

How Have Women Shaped Cambridge? A Call for Submissions

How Have Women Shaped Cambridge? A “Her-story” Drive Women’s stories are still largely overlooked in the broader historical narrative, and women continue to face obstacles to their full participation in civic life, economic equality, and even their physical health and safety. In light of these ongoing challenges, the Cambridge Historical Society has chosen to focus…

Read More

NEW! Purchase a 2020 History Café Season Pass

Introducing our 2020 History Café Season Pass! Similar to a theater’s season ticket, this pass allows Society members the opportunity to purchase tickets for our entire History Café series upfront at a discounted rate. In 2020, we plan to hold three History Cafés as well as our Summer walking tour. The pass costs $30 (a…

Read More

Governing Council 2020 Meeting Dates

2020 Council meetings Wednesday, January 15  Annual Meeting, February 25, Cambridge Public Library  Wednesday, March 25   Wednesday, May 20 Wednesday, July 22  Wednesday, September 16 Wednesday, December 2  2020 Executive Committee meetings Wednesday, February 19 Wednesday, April 15 Wednesday, June 17 Wednesday, October 21

Read More

Introducing the 2020 theme “Who Are Cambridge Women?”

The Cambridge Historical Society engages with our city to explore how the past influences the present in order to shape a better future. This year, we are asking “Who Are Cambridge Women?” Our 2020 theme is important now more than ever in this year of national celebration of the centennial of the 19th Amendment granting…

Read More

Lois Lilley Howe by Elizabeth W. Reinhardt

Lois Lilley Howe, F.A.I.A. (1864-1964) by Elizabeth W. Reinhardt Read December 7, 1975 This article appeared in the Cambridge Historical Society Proceedings for the years 1973-1975 (Volume 43) Miss LOIS LILLEY HOWE, one of the first women to graduate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s architectural program, the organizer of the only all-woman architectural firm in…

Read More

Harvard Square in the ‘Seventies and ‘Eighties

By Lois Lilley Howe Read January 25, 1944 This article originally appeared in the Cambridge Historical Society Proceedings, Volume 30, pages 11-27 Reminiscences, which should really have been called Harvard Square and its Environs in the ‘Seventies and ‘Eighties, have been in the back of my mind long enough for me to have verified details by…

Read More

Maria Baldwin, 1856-1922: “An Honor and a Glory”

By Daphne Abeel, 2006 Cantabrigian Maria Baldwin, a gifted and imposing African-American educator of the early 20th century, has never lacked recognition. During her lifetime and after her death, she was praised and then remembered. She was exceptional for her era and perhaps for all eras, attracting the attention of the entire community with her…

Read More