Final Project Presentation: The Evolution of Public Transportation in Cambridge: From Trolleys to Buses
Link to my Final Project Presentation: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WYYr8NRBPNCc4V7nfKCf2Fh1KKN9Hm0a1_twZqY-DfE/edit?usp=sharing
Posts
Week 10 November 18: Harvard Square as Conflict Zone (Plan E, 1969)
Cambridge Tour Memorial Hall / Sanders Theatre Memorial Hall, completed in 1878, honors Harvard alumni who died fighting for the Union in the Civil War. The building’s stained-glass windows by Tiffany and La Farge depict the Massachusetts regiments, and its grand Gothic Revival architecture is capped with a 200-foot tower. Sanders Theatre, inside, features Victorian design and superb acoustics and hosts performances and academic ceremonies. Memorial Hall reflects Harvard’s complex history with the Civil War, commemorating Union soldiers and supporting the abolitionist cause. Its role as a memorial and a cultural venue highlights the university’s transformation from a colonial institution into a hub of American intellectualism and values tied to national unity and social justice. John Harvard Statue The statue of John Harvard, erected in 1884 in Harvard Yard, has become a symbol of the university. Often called the “Statue of Three Lies” due to historical inaccuracies, it has ...
Week 9 November 11: Early to Mid- 20th Century. Housing, Social Life, Industry, and Transportation.
Exploring the 2020 Census Data for the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts To dive into Cambridge’s present-day demographic and educational characteristics, I explored the 2020 Census data from data.census.gov, comparing Cambridge's data to Massachusetts’ overall statistics. This analysis of population age distribution and educational attainment reveals the city’s vibrant, youthful, and educated demographic—a legacy influenced by the growth of housing, social, and educational institutions over the 20th century. Population Age Distribution: Cambridge’s Youthful Demographic Median Age and Young Adult Population Cambridge has a notably young population, with a median age of 30.4 years (± 1.3), which is well below Massachusetts' median of 40.3 years (± 0.1). This age difference highlights the city’s high concentration of students and young professionals, drawn largely by educational institutions like Harvard and MIT. The age distribution shows a strong representation among residents a...
Week 8 November 4: 19th Century – E. 20th Century Architecture, Culture, Religion
Cambridge, Massachusetts, is home to two vastly different cemeteries that speak to changing American attitudes about death, spirituality, and remembrance. The Old Burial Ground and Mount Auburn Cemetery reflect the shift from a Puritanical, moralistic view of mortality to a more Romantic, individualized approach that celebrates life and the afterlife. Each cemetery captures the cultural and religious ideals of its time, providing insight into the evolving American psyche. Old Burial Ground The Old Burial Ground, established in 1635 in Harvard Square, is one of the oldest cemeteries in Cambridge. Its modest, slate gravestones adorned with symbols of death and judgment echo the Puritan worldview that defined early New England life. For Puritans, death was a constant companion, and life was seen as a preparation for the afterlife. The cemetery reflects this ethos through its minimalistic, somber design and the choice of grave markers. A notable memorial in the Old...