Historic Cambridge Sites

CAMBRIDGE COMMON

Once the common grazing ground of the colonial settlement. Drill ground of the Continental Army during the Revolution. On the night of June 16, 1775, twelve hundred armed citizens assembled on the Common, where they were led in prayer by President Langdon, of Harvard College, at the start of their march to participate in the battle of Bunker Hill. The original Common extended a mile northward towards Lexington.

CHRIST CHURCH

Built 1759-61. Being Tory property, the church was used as a barracks by the provincial troops during the seige of Boston and the lead pipes of the organ were melted into pullets. When Washington took command of the Continental Army, the church was restored as a house of worship. The pew used by Washington has remained undisturbed.

SITE OF WASHINGTON ELM

On the spot designated by a tablet in the highway, stood the giant elm beneath which Washington took command of the Continental Army on July 3, 1775. The elm collapsed of old age in 1923.

BRATTLE STREET

One of the most famous streets in America. Known during Revolutionary days as Tory Row, because of the residences of aristocratic royalist sympathisers. Many of the houses erected during the colonial period are still standing.

SITE OF VILLAGE SMITHY

Here stood the smithy past which Longfellow walked almost daily on his way between home and Harvard Square. Here, too, towered the "spreading chestnut tree".

LONGFELLOW PARK

The park directly opposite the former home of Longfellow connects the estate with the Charles River and perpetuates the view which the poet had from his study window. The carved figures upon the monument in the center of the park represent some of the characters which will be readily recognized by readers of Longfellow's works.

MOUNT AUBURN CEMETERY

Resting place of many of America's most distinguished dead among them Russell Lowell, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Charles Sumner, Edward Everett, Louis Agassiz, Phillips Brooks, Charlotte Cushman, Edwin Booth, Charles W. Eliot, Julia Ward Howe and Mary Baker Eddy. Noted for its famous statues and monuments, including those of John Winthrop, John Adams, James Otis and Joseph Story. The Sphinx, the work of Martin Milmore, is a greatly-admired statue. Open daily, 7 A. M. to 7 P. M.

CRAIGIE HOUSE

Built in 1759 by Colonel John Vassall, Jr., a Tory, who fled at commencement of Revolution. Occupied by Washington as headquarters from July 1775, to April, 1776. Subsequently bought by Andrew Craigie, from whose estate Longfellow purchased it about 1843. Generally called Craigie House. Before sale to Longfellow it was occupied by Jared Sparks, Edward Everett and Joseph E. Worcester, of dictionary fame. Open to visitors only on Saturday afternoons from 2 to 4.