Considering Our Future: Finding a Permanant Site
A Brief History
1802 — Andrew Boardman sells a plot of land, later known as 105 Windsor St, to the City for $1 on the condition they build a schoolhouse on the plot
Map reproduction courtesy of the Norman B. Leventhal Map & Education Center at the Boston Public Library
1868 — The original schoolhouse is torn down, and replaced by a 2-story brick building that still stands today
1928 — The Boardman School ceases operation and the City uses the building for storage needs
1938 — The City refurbishes the building as a neighborhood recreational center
1973 — The site is leased out as a family health center and a senior center
1984 — The building is remodeled, but shortly thereafter vacated
2020's — 105 Windsor St. is considered for renovation and re-occupation
A City Building for Community Enrichment
After scouting numerous potential locations for the Cambridge Museum, the Museum Committee have set their focus on 105 Windsor Street. This City-owned building traces its origins to 1868, when it was built as the first brick elementary school in the city. After 60 years as the Boardman School, the City repurposed the building first as a neighbourhood recreation center and library, and later as a family health center.
For the better part of the past 220 years, 105 Windsor St. has been a site for community education and enrichment. We strongly feel that the Cambridge Museum would not only continue this tradition, but adapt it to the City's contemporary needs.
105 Windsor St. also sits near Central Square, creating an opportunity to draw visitors into the center of Cambridge and the Port. This site would be not only a literal entrance to the Port community—one of the most vibrant, diverse, and historic locations in Cambridge—but also a metaphorical gateway into its rich, storied past.
The next steps in this process are raising community awareness about the Museum Committee’s work and presenting vocal support of the Museum’s use of 105 Windsor St. to the City Council. If you’re interested in supporting our undertaking to repurpose 105 Windsor St as a museum that speaks to the mosaic of histories in Cambridge and provides a new, accessible community space for engaging with our past and our future, please contact us to find out ways you can help demonstrate interest.
Please Contact Us If You're Interested in Learning More or Showing Your Support
