This drive runs along the beautiful Charles River on which the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University boat crews train. As we roll along the drive, we come to the famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology on our right. From this school have graduated many of our best technical men. On our left as we drive along, we see Harvard Bridge, the Tech Boat House and the Weld Boat House. Across the Charles, we see the Harvard Business School, while on our right we begin to pass the “houses” of Harvard College. Continuing along the drive to Mt. Auburn Street, we turn left. A short way down Mt. Auburn Street on our left we pass the Stillman Infirmary, maintained as a hospital for Harvard students, and the Cambridge Hospital. On the river bank directly in the rear of this group of buildings is the supposed site of Leif Erickson’s old house built in the year 1001. Continue on Mt. Auburn Street two blocks to Coolidge Avenue and turn left. On our right is
Mt. Auburn Cemetery
Sometimes called “The Cemetery of Poets” for here are buried Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, James Russell Lowell, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Charles Sumner, Edward Everett, Louis Agassiz and Phillips Brooks. Run the car about one-tenth of a mile along the cemetery fence and stop. Through the fence one can see the beautiful tomb of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Christian Science Church. After admiring the beautiful setting, we turn our car about and travel back to Mt. Auburn Street, where we turn right and then left on Elmwood Avenue, on the corner of which stands
The James Russell Lowell House
THE JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL HOUSE
Built in 1767. Used as a hospital during the Battle of Bunker Hill. Later Benedict Arnold used it as his headquarters for three weeks. James Russell Lowell was born here in 1819. Follow Elmwood Avenue to Brattle Street where we turn right. On our left we see the Fayerweather House and the Nichols House, both built in 1660. Further down Brattle Street, we come to the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow House, built in 1759. Turning left at Mason Street we pass Radcliffe College. In 1894 the Society for the Collegiate Instruction of Women or more familiarly the “Harvard Annex” was incorporated as Radcliffe College. Named after Lady Moulson, née Ann Radcliffe, who was the first woman to make a gift of money to Harvard. We follow Mason Street to the
Cambridge Common
Directly in the center of the street we find the tablet which marks the spot where stood the famous elm under which Washington took command of the Army on July 3, 1775. The tree itself collapsed of old age in 1923. Turning right we come to