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Week 11: The Lack of Locals

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 I am writing this budgetary proposal in response to witnessing the exponential decrease of local stores and restaurants within Cambridge. Over the past 5 years, the amount of local food, beverage and goods legends has plummeted. Classics such as the Curious George Store, Border Cafe and most recently Darwin’s Deli can no longer compete with chain stores such as Starbucks, Sweet Green and Shake Shack. Cambridge used to be a town that favored and was known for their small businesses and forever families. Restaurants such as Hong Kong, which has been in Harvard Square for over 70 years, used to be the standard.    The reason that these small business favorites can no longer stay open… rent. The rent in Cambridge is uncontrolled and inflating faster than local businesses can compete with. It seems as though only the best of the best small businesses can afford to operate in Cambridge while any large scale, chain, restaurant has endless financial backing to stay open; whether...

Week 10: Self-Guided Tour of the History of Religious Architecture in Cambridge

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1. The First Parish in Cambridge (1833) http://aboveabc.com/first-parish-in-cambridge-2/ 2. Old Cambridge Baptist Church (1870) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Old_Cambridge_Baptist_Church_from_Massachusetts_Avenue,_Cambridge,_Massachusetts.jpg 3. The First Church of Cambridge (1872) https://www.firstchurchcambridge.org/staff/steven-brown/ 4. Society of Saint John the Evangelist (1905) http://harvardmagazine.com/sites/default/files/img/article/1211/jf12_reg_08_002_.jpg 5. St. Paul’s Parish (1923) https://i.redd.it/co3le7eu6ui41.jpg 6. Tremont Street Shul (1924) https://cdn.jewishboston.com/uploads/2016/09/542893_297506956996317_469533413_n.jpg 7. Memorial Church (1932) https://www.wheretraveler.com/sites/default/files/images/harvard_menorial_church_c_rian_castilloflickrcc.jpg 8. Islamic Society of Boston (1981) https://live.staticflickr.com/7255/7729914580_a67fc95286.jpg 9. Ikeda Center (1993) https://www.ikedacenter.org/sites/ikedacenter.com/files/styles/sidebar_image/public/sideba...

Week 9: Harvard Faculty Club

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  https://www.universityevents.harvard.edu/venues/harvard-faculty-club https://www.hfc.harvard.edu/about/history The Harvard Faculty Club began in 1920 as a private club known as the Colonial Club. This was a private club in which only members who could pay the dues (mainly white men) could be a part of. In 1930 Harvard Cooperation bought the house, tore down and completely rebuilt it in a Georgian style and rebranded it as the Harvard Faculty Club. The requirements to belong changed slightly that decade in which all male faculty members could be a part of the club and other Harvard affiliates who would have to pay the dues. It was only in 1968 that women could be admitted to the club with full membership and only in 2009 when all faculty and students, not only academic professors or privileged students were allowed access. This building represents the changing wealth and social dynamics within the Harvard community; both within the school and the surrounding area of Harvard Square...

Week 8: Mount Auburn Cemetery vs. Old Burial Ground

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 Mount Auburn Cemetery, although originally a farm, was established  in 1831 and consists of 174 acres of open, natural land. This cemetery is known in history as being the first official public park and started a movement for other gardens and parks throughout the colonies. More importantly, it is known for its stark contrast against older burial sites such as the Old Burial Ground. This is because Mount Auburn marks the beginning of a more post-colonistic burial style and a deeper change in priorities and mindset within the colonies.    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Auburn_Cemetery https://cemeterytravel.com/2012/10/24/cemetery-of-the-week-81-the-old-burying-ground/ The Old Burial Ground (depicted on the right) is a small, private, grounds in which bodies are buried under or around the churches. This style of burial limited the amount of people and type of people who could be buried and was thought to have potential health ramifications. Mount Auburn is a bea...

Week 7: The Washington Elm

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    The story of the Washington Elm is merely one of legend. It is rumored that in 1775, on the cross section of Mason and Garden streets, George Washington took command of the Continental Army and thus was one of the turning points in American history. For years to follow poets, musicians and journalists would write picturesque and dramatic psalms and stories about the events on that day. Although there is no merit to these accounts, they created a hero-like quality for George Washington that has persisted until today.  The elm tree became a symbol of Cambridge when it was added to the city seal in 1846 by Edward Everette, a politician of the time. Unfortunately, the original tree was struck down in a lightning storm in 1923 but sections of the tree were preserved and shipped to museums and government buildings all around the country. We love to memorialize things in the United States, even stories with questionable truth! Now a granite stone is placed where the original...

Week 6- The University, The Church and The Square

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  The history of the First Parish in Cambridge strongly reflects the development of the University and its effects on Harvard Square.  The First Parish in Cambridge was originally established in 1632 but it wasn’t until 1652 when the location next to Harvard College was established due to the fact that Harvard had not migrated to, what was then, Newtowne until 1637. It took many years after that until the fifth location was built in 1833; located across from, what were, the main gates to Harvard Yard.  This church stood as a pivotal part in the development of Harvard College and Harvard Square not only being known for its academia but also for its deep relationship with religion. In letters and documents saved from 1698-1700’s some argue that the reason the Majesty did not approve of Harvard College was due to this affiliation with religious ideals, particularly Puritanism and Calvinism.  The fifth church location, across from Havard Yard gates, served as the home of...

Week 5: Project Ideas

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 Idea 1: Transform Palmer Street into a space for creative expression; music, street art, sculpture,etc. My idea for this alley way is to have it be a creative space for artists in the square an on campus to express themselves. I think it would be great for these creative pieces to reflect Harvard’s mission for the year in order to connect the institution to the square. My idea would be similar to the Modica Way, pictured below. Idea 2: Adding features to JFK park to make it more eco-friendly, upgraded and more visitor friendly. By adding grassy mounds for seating, clover fields, native plant/flower species, and fixing the water fountain we can physically improve the space. Also adding historical signage that reflects the history of the land and sustainable ways to take care of it would add an educational aspect.