Cambridge Historical Commission | About the CHC | MCC Grant

Historical Commission Receives Grant
from Massachusetts Cultural Council

The Cambridge Historical Commission is pleased to announce that it was awarded a Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) Organizational Support Grant of $6,800 for fiscal year 2007. The MCC received a higher appropriation from the legislature this year, allowing it to increase grants to all the organizational support disciplines. The Commission’s grant was increased by 20% from the FY06 award. We are very grateful to receive these funds.

The grant will enable the Commission to continue to employ a part-time Archives Assistant, a position not included in our regular budget. The Commission’s archive and research library constitute a rich source of information on Cambridge’s architectural and social history. Last year, the Archives Assistant processed collections relating to the Neighborhood Ten Association, the former Cambridge City Councillor Cornelia Wheeler, and an early Commission chair, Albert B. Wolfe. The assistant placed the materials in archival containers and wrote finding aids, which are available on the Commission’s website.

The Commission is the city’s historic preservation agency. Many of its cultural activities support its broad mission to preserve the diversity of Cambridge’s built environment and disseminate information about the history of the city. The six-person staff meet with homeowners, developers, and local groups to explore preservation options and share advice on building issues and historic paint colors; educational and informational programs are offered to audiences in local schools and neighborhoods, and to community organizations. The Commission also pursues a publications program that includes architectural and oral histories.

We deeply appreciate the continuing work and support of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Our organization and many others throughout the Commonwealth depend on the assistance of the Council to enable us to offer high quality cultural programming to a variety of audiences.