Cambridge, Massachusetts

2 Sep

Cambridge, situated on the north shore of the Charles River, was settled in 1630 by English Puritans. It began as an agricultural town (Harvard Yard was a cow pasture), and Harvard, the nation’s oldest university, was founded here in 1636.

We parked our car near the Cambridge Common, a major city park as well as a National Historic Landmark.  In the park we viewed a few Revolutionary War sites. 

The public park is surrounded by Harvard buildings, historic churches and houses. We learned that this site was once the gathering place of Union soldiers during the war. Click a picture at the Civil War memorial dedicated in 1870 and take a look at the three British cannons seized by the Continental Army.

From the park, we walked to the main campus of Harvard University and Harvard Yard…..the oldest parts of the campus. We didn’t have a map of the campus, so, we just followed along with the other tourists. We could have joined one of the student orientation groups…I don’t think anyone would have noticed!

We finally, used our phone navigation to locate the Harvard Law School.

Harvard Square is the center of many activities, eclectic stores, and restaurants. We stopped by the University store, The Coop, to buy a few mementos…t-shirts!

Freedom Trail will have to wait until another day!