Cambridge Common, Massachusetts, United States

5DougDavidoff 5:00 PM May 26, 2014

Three Centuries of History at Cambridge Common
Boston Common is more famous, but the history at Cambridge Common is more concentrated, more accessible, more understandable. It’s a great place to take children from late elementary school and up. The place is a survey crash course in U.S. history. Start with the trees that overlooked General George Washington mustering the Revolutionary Army in the aftermath of Lexington & Concord and Bunker Hill. From these trees, Washington headed south to Long Island, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. What began at Cambridge ended with the British surrender at Yorktown, Va. Stand where he stood. Contemplate what that ragtag army did. Cross the common and stand with Abe Lincoln. Contemplate again. Head toward the First Parish church and visit the monument to the Potato Famine given to Boston’s people (but installed in Cambridge) by the Irish president. The statue hauntingly shows a man and a woman, each with a child, struggling for food to feed their young. Your heart will ache with empathy for these parents and for these children. You will appreciate the opportunity the Irish found in America after the widespread disease caused by pestilence and famine caused by, many will argue, the British policy toward Ireland. Cambridge Common is so closed to Harvard Square and Harvard Yard. A 20-minute walk is enough to touch base with these historic American reference points. In a city full of history, if you’re at Harvard, don’t ignore the Cambridge Common.

4AlexanderD 5:00 PM Sep 1, 2019

Green Space with Playground
My family and I enjoyed our time here. It is a short walk from the Harvard Campus and museums. As many have mentioned, there is a large and fun playground here that it a great place for families with kids to unwind a bit.