Civil War Monument

The Civil War Monument in Cambridge Common features a standing soldier holding a rifle above a bronze figure of Abraham Lincoln. The base holds inscribed names of those who served and fell from Massachusetts.

The monument was built in 1870 to honor Massachusetts soldiers who fought and died in the Civil War. It was created during a time when communities across the country were building memorials to commemorate their service members.

The monument lists names of soldiers from Massachusetts and shows how the community wanted to honor those who fought. The two bronze figures reflect how people thought about heroism and leadership after the Civil War.

The memorial stands in Cambridge Common at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Waterhouse Street and is freely accessible. The setting allows you to walk around and examine the two figures and inscribed names at your own pace.

The memorial combines two distinct bronze figures, setting it apart from most Civil War monuments that feature a single figure. This dual approach was an uncommon choice for memorials of that era.