Seizing Freedom: The Black Community in West Cambridge
When:
Tuesday, Oct 20, 2026 5:30p -
7:00p
Tuesday, Oct 20, 2026 5:30p -
7:00p
Where:
CCAE
42 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02118
Admission:
$15
Hosted by:
Categories:
Classes, History
Event website:
https://ccae.org/classes/offering/1043289/seizing-freedom-the-black-community-in-west-cambridge-offsite-new
Although there are many in Cambridge who have never heard of Lewisville, this area of West Cambridge has been a vibrant and enduring part of the city’s history for over two centuries. The neighborhood, roughly bounded by Concord Avenue, Garden Street, and Shepard Street, was a community made up largely of Black residents, a mix of free-born individuals and those who had been born into slavery and either received their freedom or self-emancipated during the Revolutionary War. This tour will explore the rich history of this area, highlighting the perseverance of the city’s Black community and its efforts to carve out a space of equality and resource sharing in the post-Revolutionary era and beyond.
Instructor: History Cambridge
Meeting point: Courtyard of 42 Brattle Street (CCAE)
