Out of Town News, Historic newsstand at Harvard Square, United States
Out of Town News occupied a small limestone and brick kiosk situated in the middle of Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The roughly 500 square feet of interior space held a vast collection of newspapers and magazines from countries around the world.
The structure was built in 1928 as a subway entrance and later recognized as a historic landmark in 1978. The newsstand itself operated from 1984 until its closure in 2019 after several decades of service.
The newsstand served as a gathering point where students, faculty, and residents came together to access publications from around the world. It functioned as a hub for people seeking international perspectives and information during its decades of operation.
The newsstand is no longer in operation, but the structure remains visible at the center of Harvard Square. The City of Cambridge now owns the building and has plans to convert the space into a public gathering area with free community events.
An interesting detail connects this newsstand to Microsoft's founding story. According to accounts, Paul Allen purchased a magazine here that inspired the initial concept for starting a technology company with Bill Gates.
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