Last updated: 11/30/2013
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Street Address
159 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Mailing Address
Cambridge, MA 02138

Hours

CHS offices
Monday - Friday
10 AM - 6 PM
Hooper-Lee-Nichols House
open for tours
Monday, Wednesday
12 PM - 6 PM
or by appointment.

Staff

Richard (Tod) Beaty
phone: 617-547-4252
e-mail:
Description

We are Cambridge history. We inspire interest in and enthusiasm for the Cambridge experience; its changing landscapes and neighborhoods; its workers and thinkers; its daily life and innovative contributions to the nation. We are a resource for everyone who wants to know about Cambridge and its history. We collect and preserve Cambridge history in many forms and seek to make it widely available through exhibits; online communities; access to our archives and collections; vibrant public programs; and publications.

Renting the HLN House

The Hooper-Lee-Nichols House is one of the oldest houses in Cambridge, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1685 and transformed into a Georgian mansion in the 1730s, the house is an architectural and social history treasure. The Cambridge Historical Society makes the house available for rental on a limited basis in order to raise money for its upkeep, and to further introduce people to its history. We hope you will appreciate the Society’s need to keep rental activities within certain parameters, in order to preserve the Hooper-Lee- Nichols House for the future.

Mission

The Cambridge Historical Society has been a repository of history and culture for over 100 years. We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting an interest in all aspects of the history and heritage of Cambridge.

History

Founded in 1905 by a group of historians, the Historical Society initially met in private homes and presented lectures on Cambridge history. Beginning in 1906, these lectures were published as The Proceedings. A short time later the Society began collecting books, documents, significant papers and photographs.

Since 1957 the Cambridge Historical Society has been headquartered at the Hooper-Lee-Nichols House at 159 Brattle Street. Many activities take place there. We invite you to become a member of the Society and join us in preserving Cambridge's history and heritage.

Library
The Brinkler Research Library

The Brinkler Research Library's archival holdings include books, maps, newspapers, periodicals, broad sheets, published and unpublished documents, a photo archive and drawings. The library also contains published family and town histories, city directories and published town reports.

The Cambridge Historical Society acts as a living repository for Cambridge's tradition and history. It maintains any property entrusted to it and collects, preserves, and interprets items of historical and antiquarian significance.

The Historical Society encourages research and involvement in these efforts by its members and the community at large. In doing so it promotes a better understanding of history as an important factor in the everyday affairs of the City and its residents.

The Brinkler Library is open to researchers by appointment. Please call 617 547-4252 to schedule your visit. For questions about collections, donations, and requests for reproduction from the collection, send email to archives@cambridgehistory.org

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members
Appointment required: Yes
Publications
Just one of our many great books available online!

Self Guided Walking Tour

Enjoy three self guided walking tours of Cambridge: Utterly Harvard Square, Revolutionary Cambridge, and Historic Tory Row. The Utterly Harvard Square tour is a light hearted look at some of the Squares iconic locations and quirky treasures. The Revolutionary Cambridge tour explores the city’s role on the cutting edge of American society, both at the end of the 18th century and throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Finally, the largest tour is of the Historic Tory Row, this includes the seven Tory Row mansions but also has stops for many of the grand homes along Brattle Street and on some of the neighboring streets.

Services
Gift Shop
Online Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
ADA
Parking

If coming to programs at the Hooper-Lee-Nichols House on Sunday, parking is permitted along Brattle Street. During the week, parking on Brattle and neighboring streets is Cambridge Resident Permit only. If you do not have a Cambridge permit, please contact the CHS office (617-547-4252) to discuss options.

Exhibitions
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Museum Events
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Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025

Westgate Las Vegas

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Hosted by: Public Lands Alliance

The Public Lands Alliance Convention and Trade Show brings together nonprofits, land management agencies and companies to learn, network and engage on public lands issues. The 2025 Convention and Trade Show will take place Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV

Connect with peers, explore the latest in public lands products, and return inspired with new strategies and resources for success in conservation and visitor engagement

Our annual Convention and Trade Show (PLA) is the premier gathering for leaders in the public lands sector to network, gain essential tools, and explore products that enhance the visitor experience and support conservation, preservation, and enrichment efforts.

For more information, please call 301-946-9475.

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

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Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

Wednesday, February 5 - Friday, February 7, 2025

Ina Dillard Russell Library Georgia College & State University

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Hosted by: Georgia Association of Museums

The Whole Story Is The Meanin

“For the fiction writer himself the whole story is the meaning, because it is an experience, not an abstraction.”― Flannery O'Connor, Mystery and Manners: Occasional Pros

Join us in Milledgeville, Georgia, for the annual Georgia Association of Museums conference as we explore the profound wisdom of Milledgeville author Flannery O'Connor’s words. In a world where narratives intersect and perspectives diverge, this theme invites proposals that delve into the essence of storytelling within museums and cultural institutions. Our work in the museum field requires us to look at stories from as many angles and perspectives as possible so that we might do our best to tell the “whole story.

Through thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and engaging presentations, we will uncover the layers of meaning embedded within every artifact, exhibition, and historical account. Just as O’Connor masterfully crafted narratives that resonate with universal truths, museums hold the power to illuminate the whole story behind many objects, artworks, and cultural phenomena

We will examine how museums can embrace inclusivity, diversity, and authenticity in their storytelling practices. By acknowledging multiple perspectives and amplifying marginalized voices, we can enrich our understanding of the past and present, fostering empathy and connection within our communities.

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

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Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

Monday, February 17 - Wednesday, February 19, 2025

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Hosted by: Small Museum Association

The annual SMA conference attracts more than 300 museum professionals, board members, and volunteers from a wide variety of small museums. They attend sessions on topics ranging from collections and education to staffing and board issues.

We offer a large Museum Resource Hall and plenty of informal networking opportunities for you to talk with (and get ideas from!) other small museum professionals and volunteers

Theme for 2025: Make It Happen!!!

Is there an exhibit, program, or fundraiser that you've been talking about doing for years? Do you feel stuck because of procrastination, lack of board support, or insufficient funds? It's time to take action

At SMA 2025, small museum professionals will share their tips and tricks of how they made it happen!

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

Tuesday, February 18 - Saturday, February 22, 2025

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Hosted by: California Association of Museums

CAM is hard at work planning for the 2025 conference, set to take place from February 18–22, 2025 in San Francisco. We look forward to highlighting best practices and innovative ideas from California's museum community

The California Association of Museums is excited to continue offering in-person programming for 2025. We will not be requiring proof of COVID vaccination/s, but highly encourage vaccination and boosters. For the health and safety of our colleagues, masks are also encouraged (but not required). Capacity and spaces will be thoughtfully considered in the planning of this event.

For more information, please email programs@calmuseums.org.

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

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2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

Tuesday, March 11 - Friday, March 14, 2025

Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN

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Hosted by: Tennessee Association of Museums

Tennessee museums are full of hope. But how are they turning hope into reality

With the Semiquincentennial quickly approaching in 2026, the state's museum community if approaching a turning point, and is now a great time to take stock and develop a vision for the future

The Tennessee Association of Museums' 64th Annual Conference in Knoxville will challenge the state's museums to think ahead and share their hopes, the best practices and strategies for turning those hoes into realities, and the rewards that come from aspirational thinking

The 2025 TAM Annual Conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN.

For more information, please call 615-495-3354 or email hawkins@aaslh.org.

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