Maria Baldwin House

Maria Baldwin House is a Greek Revival residence in Cambridge distinguished by Ionic columns at its portico and two-over-two sash windows set in brick. The two-family structure features a rear kitchen extension with lower ceiling heights that creates a distinct architectural offset from the main section.

The house was home to Maria Louise Baldwin from 1892 to 1922, who served as the first Black female principal in Massachusetts while leading Agassiz Grammar School. Her residency marked a significant presence in the educational landscape of the region during this period.

The house served as a gathering space for Black intellectuals and civil rights activists who met within its walls to exchange ideas. The rooms reflect an era when private homes like this one hosted significant conversations about social change.

The building sits near Harvard University on Prospect Street and maintains its original architectural details throughout. Visitors should take time to notice the fine details like the columns and window designs that show the craftsmanship of the period.

The building features an interesting architectural quirk: the two-story kitchen extension at the rear has noticeably lower ceilings, creating a visible height difference. This design feature reveals how later additions were built differently from the original main structure.