When was Cambridge founded? What is the oldest house in Cambridge? Did George Washington take command of the army under the Washington Elm tree?
Find out the answers to these questions and more on our FAQ page.
Cambridge has two Historic Districts and four Neighborhood Conservation Districts (NCDs).
Individual properties can be protected by Preservation Easement or Landmark designation.
All demolition permit applications must be reviewed by staff and may require a hearing with the Historical Commission if the structure is more than 50 years old. Learn more about the Demolition Delay Ordinance.
Learn more about Cambridge's Districts and Historic Properties.
You can view and download an Application for Certificate for any of our districts. If you are not sure if you need to apply, please can call the Commission office (617/349-4683) to speak with a staff member.
View application materials for upcoming or past cases of the Historical Commission on our website.
Still can't find what you're looking for? Contact the CHC staff at 617-349-4683 or via our e-mail contact form.
The Historical Commission's library and archive are open to the public for research on Mondays from 2:00 - 7:00 PM, Tuesdays from 2:00 - 4:00 PM, Wednesday - Thursday from 9:30 - 11:30 AM and 2:00 - 4:00 PM. The office is not open for research on Fridays.
We strongly recommend that you call ahead to set up an appointment, as our research space and staff are limited. Please call (617)349-4683 or TTY (617)349-6112 to schedule a research appointment.
Get started now with our online research aids.