The Pluralism Project at Harvard UniversityNEH Summer Resources
Harvard Tours
Schedule of campus tours
http://www.harvard.edu/help/frames/faq_questions.html#general
Harvard Libraries
Research services and reference desk hours at Widener Library
http://hcl.harvard.edu/widener/services/research/
"Widener in Person"
Details on the nuts and bolts on how to find books, the call number system, how to check things out, etc. Also, more on research assistance.
http://hcl.harvard.edu/widener/text/person.html
Main library page
Access to all 90+ libraries and their web pages
http://hul.harvard.edu/libinfo/
Harvard Basics
Harvard Student Agencies, Inc. (HSA)
67 Mt. Auburn St.
496-3624
http://hsa.net
Harvard Student Agencies runs HSA Rentals, which rents "microfridges," computers, fans, and telephones.
Harvard Student Employment Office (SEO)
Byerly Hall, Eight Garden Street
495-2585
http://www.seo.harvard.edu
The SEO posts full-time, part-time, and summer job opportunities, both on-and off-campus. If you’re looking for a baby-sitter or other student help, see the "Student Skills Database."
Transportation
MBTA
All the information you need on train and bus routes (boat routes, too!):
http://www.mbta.com/
Ambassador-Brattle Taxi & Cambridge Taxi Co.
492-1100
Checker Cab of Cambridge
497-9000
Yellow Cab of Cambridge
547-3000
4th of July Events
Celebration of Independence
9am-10am -- On the Plaza at City Hall (635-3911). Flag raising followed by a short parade.
Reading the Declaration of Independence
10am-10:30am -- On the balcony, Old State House, at State and Devonshire Streets.
2pm-2:30pm -- Declare Your Independence!
Old State House, State/Washington Streets (720-1713). Admission: $1-$3. Become a colonial Bostonian and participate in the first reading of the Declaration of Independence.
USS CONSTITUTION Turn-Around
11am-1pm -- Charlestown Navy Yard to Castle Island (242-5670). "Old Ironsides" gets underway to salute the nation.
21 Gun Salute to the Nation
Noon -- Off Castle Island, South Boston
USS CONSTITUTION fires her salute.
Patriot or Loyalist?
2:30pm-4pm -- Boston National Park Visitor Center
15 State Street (242-5642). A guided walking tour with a Patriot and a Loyalist. Space is limited.
Meet John Hancock
1pm-8pm -- John Hancock Observatory, 200 Clarendon Street, 60th Floor (247-1977). Meet the man, the patriot, the founding father. Admission $6.
The Art of Change Ringing
Noon-1pm -- Old North Church Courtyard, 193 Salem Street, North End (523-6676). Listen to a quarter peal of bells as a bell ringer explains the ancient and complex art of change ringing.
True Tales of the USS CONSTITUTION
11am-3pm -- USS CONSTITUTION Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard (426-1812). Meet heroes and heroines of the "Old Ironsides" and participate in a live theater performance, on the hour. Admission $3, $10 for families of 4 or more.
What's Under the Golden Dome?
10am-4pm -- Secretary of the Commonwealth, Tours Division, Beacon Street at Park Street (727-3676). A guided tour of the State House.
John F. Kennedy: Man of the Sea
9am-5pm -- John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, Columbia Point (929-4523, 877-616-4549). JFK's private collection of scrimshaw, model ships, maritime paintings and Naval artifacts Admission $4-$8, under 12 free.
Footloose on the Freedom Trail
9am-Noon -- Boston By Foot (367-2345, 367-3766). Meet at the foot of the State House steps, Beacon Street. Explore 300 years of architecture and history in Boston. Admission $12.
Sunset Parades
June 28 & July 3; 7:30pm-8:45pm -- Charlestown Navy Yard. A Sunset Parade is an age-old military custom honoring the American flag. Sponsored by the U.S. Navy and the Boston National Historical Park, the parades will be performed adjacent to the USS CONSTITUTION, the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. The Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes and Drum will also perform in the ceremonies, which culminate in the lowering of the Stars and Stripes. A breathtaking effect is created as the parades are set against the backdrop of the Boston skyline bathed in the pink glow of the setting summer sun. The Sunset Parades serve as a stirring reminder to all Americans of the importance of our flag, our country and our freedom.
Fireworks
Admission: FREE and open to the public!
Program: Noon - Afternoon of Recorded Music Begins.
8:00pm - Maestro Keith Lockhart leads The Pops. Guest country singer Trisha Yearwood performs.
10:00pm - The Fireworks!
The Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade
Boston's world-famous Fourth of July fireworks are set on the Esplanade and Charles River. The 2000 Boston Pops Fourth of July Concert and Fireworks Spectacular will begin at 10pm and will be televised live by WCVB Ch.5 and carried nationwide by A&E networks. Seiji Ozawa conducts the 1812 overture for the first time. The pyrotechnic symphony soundtrack will be broadcast on WCRB 102.5 FM. If you aren't near one of the sound towers on the Esplanade or Cambridge side of the Charles, be sure to bring a radio to experience the full effect of this spectacular production. Again this year, the Pops will provide the soundtrack to the evening's festivities and they invite YOU to sing along with them. There will be an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for largest aerial banner of a 9,600-square-foot American flag. For more information, call 1-888-4TH-POPS.
Useful Web links:
http://www.july4th.org/info/scschedA.htm
http://www.townonline.com/specials/july4th/towns/boston.html
http://www.bostonharborfest.com/daily/tue.html
**All information taken from these web sites.
Fun Stuff in Cambridge and Boston
Harvard Square.com
Harvard Square links and lots of useful information, including a great on-line map of the Square.
http://www.harvardsquare.com/
Outings and Innings
Discounted tickets to movies, plays, and local events. Before buying tickets to anything check out their office on 9 Holyoke Street, Cambridge, or visit them on the web at:
http://www.hr.harvard.edu/perks/
The Boston Phoenix
A local arts and entertainment weekly newspaper, it can be found in most grocery and corner stores throughout the area. Also available on-line at:
http://www.bostonphoenix.com/
Harvard University Art Museums
http://www.artmuseums.harvard.edu/
The Fogg Art Museum is located in Cambridge at 32 Quincy Street and Broadway, next to Harvard Yard.
The Arthur M. Sackler Museum is across the street from the Fogg at 485 Broadway.
The Busch-Reisinger Museum in Werner Otto Hall is located behind the Fogg Art Museum on Prescott Street, and is entered through the Fogg.
The Museums are one block east from the Harvard Square MBTA subway stop.
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5pm, Sunday from 1pm to 5pm.
Museum of Science, Boston
Science Park, Boston
723-2500
http://www.mos.org/
Take the Lechemere green line train to the Science Park stop. The Museum is 200 yards from the Science Park station.
Hours: Saturday - Thursday 9am - 7pm, and Friday - 9am - 9pm.
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
465 Huntington Ave., Boston
267-9300
http://www.mfa.org/home.htm
Take the green "E" line to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston stop. The museum is right across the street.
Hours: Monday and Tuesday 10am-4:45pm; Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 10am-9:45pm (Th. and Fr. West Wing only after 5pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am-5:45pm.
Isabella Stewart-Gardner Museum
280 The Fenway, Boston
566-1401
http://www.boston.com/gardner
Located near the MFA, take the green E line to the Museum Stop.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11am - 5pm.
Harvard Museum of Natural History
26 Oxford Street, Cambridge
495-3045
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 9am - 5pm and Sunday, 1pm - 5pm.
Mount Auburn Cemetery
The entrance to Mount Auburn Cemetery is on Mount Auburn Street near the boundary of Cambridge and Watertown, approximately 1.5 miles west of Harvard Square, just west of Mount Auburn Hospital and Fresh Pond Parkway. Mount Auburn Street is reached via Fresh Pond Parkway or Storrow Drive (Route 2). The Cemetery is easily reached by public transportation from Harvard Square (Number 71 or 73 bus).
Red Sox Games
For schedules and tickets go to http://www.redsox.com
Walden Pond
Concord, MA
Open sunrise until 7pm (parking is $2). By car take Concord Avenue to the Belmont Rotary, bear right, and go straight onto Rte. 2 west. Stay on Rte. 2 when it turns left, then take the second left onto Rte. 125 at the traffic light. The pond is a few minutes up on the right, with parking opposite. You can walk from the commuter rail, although the walk is a long one; you can, however, bring your bike on the commuter rail for a lovely ride to the pond. For pictures and more information on the pond, check out http://nanosft.com/walden/ or http://nanosft.com/walden/waldpond.html
Freedom Trail
"The Freedom Trail in Boston, Massachusetts begins at the Boston Common and ends at the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. The trail is marked by a red line painted on the sidewalk or, in some places, red brick or granite paving stones mark the way. Following the 2.5-mile trail you can visit 16 historic sites. You should allow most of a day to walk the trail and visit the sites along the way." For pictures and more information, visit http://nanosft.com/freedom/index.shtml
Food and Drink in Harvard Square
Au Bon Pain
Holyoke Center Arcade
A French bakery serving danishes, sandwiches, soups, etc. Popular spot to meet up with people or catch a chess game--if you can find a seat it’s also a super place to eat outside.
Bertucci's
21 Brattle Street
864-4748
A casual theme Italian restaurant featuring brick oven cooking. Extensive menu includes brick oven pizzas, authentic Italian pastas cooked to order, freshly baked rolls, appetizers, salads, soups, desserts and alcoholic drinks.
Bombay Club
57 J.F.K. Street
661-8100
Fine Indian cuisine - "elegant bar and lounge with a most beautiful view of Harvard Square. Take out is available."
The Border Cafe
32 Church Street
864-6100
One of the most popular restaurants in the Square, "The Border" (as it’s known to locals) has cheap Mexican and Cajun food. Vegetarian and non-Vegetarian available. On the weekend--day or night--plan to wait.
Campo De Fiori
Holyoke Center Arcade
354-3805
"Gourmet" Italian Bakery & Cafe featuring the exclusive and authentic "Pane Romano" made into signature sandwiches and thin, crispy crust pizzas with sophisticated toppings, home-made soups, fresh pasta and desserts, assorted drinks, and "Tazza d'Oro" coffee from Rome.
Fire & Ice
50 Church Street
547-9007
A unique improvisational grill where you create your meal -- improvising with fresh flavors and ingredients prepared in minutes before your eyes. Get there early; if going on the weekend for dinner, plan to wait at least an hour for a table. Reservations can be made for large parties (6 or more) any nights but Friday and Saturday.
Grafton Street Pub & Grille
1280 Massachusetts Ave.
497-0400
Named after a street in Dublin reminiscent of Harvard Square, this restaurant offers a taste of European and International cuisine. Open for lunch and dinner.
Hong Kong Restaurant
1236 Massachusetts Ave.
864-5311
Family owned and operated Chinese restaurant, bar and dance club. Full menu available for take-out orders. Also home to The Comedy Studio and Tuesday night dart league.
John Harvard's Brew House
33 Dunster Street
868-3585
Winner of the Best Microbrewery/Restaurants in Boston, two years running. Enjoy what they call "honest American food" including Chicken Pot Pie, Grilled Tuna Steak Salad, and Homemade Meatloaf, while watching the Brewer's make today's fresh beer. Serving lunch, dinner and late night menus. Weekends there’s a wait.
Tealuxe
0 Brattle Street
441-0077
The original Cambridge "tea-café." Across the street from the Gap and Brattle Coop, it’s a nice respite from busy Harvard Square.
Vegetarian and Veg-Friendly Restaurants
Brickyard Cafe
90 Sherman Street
868-6543
Best to call ahead. Walking distance from Alewife red line stop. Near Alewife Brook Parkway.
Christopher's
1920 Massachusetts Avenue (Porter Square on Red line)
876-5405, 876-9180
Many vegetarian and vegan options. Grain burgers, soups, Mexican food, pasta dishes. No preservatives or artificial ingredients. Open Sun-Thu till midnight, Fri-Sat till 2am.
Country Life
200 High Street (in Boston’s downtown financial district)
951-2534
Outstanding vegan "all you care or dare to eat" buffet and salad bar. Open Sun 10:30am-8:30pm, Mon-Thu 11am-8:30pm, Fri 11am-4pm.
T-stop: South Station (red line), State (orange line), Downtown Crossing (red & orange lines), Aquarium (blue line), and Government Center (green line).
The Middle East
472 Massachusetts Avenue (Central Square T Stop)
354-8238
Great Middle Eastern food, and on Wednesday nights belly dancers perform. Located right in the heart of Central Square.
Mississippi's Restaurant Cafe
735 Huntington Avenue, Boston
566-6789
International/American low-fat fast-food. Salad bar. Cafeteria style. Vegan-friendly. Open Mon-Fri 7am-3pm. Closed weekends & holidays.
Food-Retail
The Broadway Marketplace
468 Broadway Street
547-2334
"Five independent specialty stores providing the best of everything."
Beaches
Short Beach, Winthrop
Facilities: This relatively compact strip of rocks and sand serves local residents by providing access to swimming, passive enjoyment of the shore and extensive views of the northern harbor. Owned and operated by the Metropolitan District Commission.
Access: There is limited curbside parking along the seawall, and pedestrian access to the beach is impeded by a difficult crossing of the adjacent divided Parkway. Accessible via Point Shirley or Winthrop Beach bus service from the MBTA's Blue Line Orient Heights Stop.
Winthrop Beach
Facilities: This regional beach is actively used for swimming, sunning, kayaking, canoeing, walking, picnicking and volleyball. Offshore breakwaters known as the "Five Sisters" help protect Winthrop Beach from coastal storm damage. Owned and operated by the Metropolitan District Commission.
Access: Winthrop Beach is highly accessible by foot from the surrounding neighborhood. Limited curbside parking is available. Accessible via Point Shirley or Winthrop Beach bus service from the MBTA's Blue Line Orient Heights Stop.
Constitution Beach, East Boston
Facilities: Constitution Beach is a major regional recreational facility providing a diverse mix of activities and facilities for the East Boston community and other regional residents. The beach features swimming areas with lifeguards, a bath house with concessions, a tot lot, and tennis courts. Significant portions of the beach are under construction during early 2000 to upgrade landscaping and facilities. Owned and operated by the Metropolitan District Commission.
Access: The beach is providing limited parking during construction activities. Due to construction activities, access during the early 2000 swimming season is only available via the Barnes Avenue/Thurston Street entrance. Pedestrian access from Bennington Street via the pedestrian overpass will not be available until construction of the new overpass is complete.
Pleasure Bay Beach (MDC) & Castle Island, South Boston
Facilities: Pleasure Bay is one of the most popular and well utilized swimming and sunning beaches in the City. Beachgoers will enjoy sinking their toes into the new sand placed at Pleasure Bay during the summer of 1996. Because the bay is fully enclosed by the man-made Head Island Causeway, water and sediment quality are consistently high. The causeway also provides a great walkway for strolling all the way around Pleasure Bay. Castle Island, adjacent to Pleasure Bay, offers a wide range of recreational opportunities such as sailing, shaded picnic areas, and tot lots. Tours of the restored Fort Independence are available through the Friends of Castle Island.
Access: Castle Island has a large parking lot which fills up fast on any sunny summer day. The area is T accessible by taking City Point buses #9 or #11 from either the Red Line T Broadway Station, or Green Line T Copley Station.
L and M Street Beaches, South Boston
Facilities: The L and M Street Beaches lie adjacent to each other along Day Boulevard in South Boston. These popular local beaches provide excellent swimming conditions and are located near the L Street Bathhouse which offers gyms, showers and many other amenities for a small membership fee. The MDC is restoring walkways and seawalls between the L Street Bathhouse and the Carson Beach Bathhouse during early 2000.
Access: Curbside parking available along Day Boulevard. Easy pedestrian access from nearby neighborhoods. Some limitations during construction of seawall and walkways. Publicly accessible via City Point Bus #7 from the Red Line T at South Station.
Fitness Clubs
Athletic Facilities at Harvard
For a wide range of information on facilities at Harvard (most of which only require a flash of your ID for entrance), visit the department’s web site at http://www.fas.harvard.edu/~athletic
Bally Total Fitness
1815 Massachusetts Avenue
868-5100
Healthworks Fitness Centers for Women
Porter Square Shopping Center
497-4454
Religious Services
Check our own World Religions in Boston on-line:
http://www.pluralism.org
*Please note: Unless otherwise noted, all addresses are Cambridge and all phone numbers are in the 617 area code.