Black Cambridge: Footsteps to Freedom
Our Black history walking tour in Historic Galt, Downtown Cambridge explore the lives and community of early Black residents in the 1800s. It’s sure to expand your perspective on this city’s early history – which is the point of a good walking tour!
- Downtown Cambridge
- Meet: CAMBRIDGE Sign, front of Cambridge City Hall
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Availability: April - November
- Distance Covered: 2.2 km
- Price: $30/person
Many people think that Cambridge’s first Black residents arrived here in the 1960s and 70s, but did you know that there were over 50 Black people living here in the mid 1800s?
On this walk around Downtown Cambridge, we will learn about journeys on the Underground Railroad and learn about the lives of early Black residents. We will visit locations where Black residents lived, had their businesses and went to church. You will hear about a Black preacher, several barbers, and firemen. The obituaries of several Black residents give us a clue of the respect many garnered within Galt at the time of their deaths. While there are only a few stories, you will also learn about the lives of a few Black women who worked as domestic workers for Galt families.
Come learn about the famous abolitionist, freedom seeker and speaker who gave a lecture in Galt in 1857!! We’ll explore this story and hear what residents thought of his talk!
As we recover and re-tell these histories you’ll look at this town differently and realize that Cambridge heritage has untold stories to share.
Black History Cambridge Walking Tour Details
Of course, we have the obligatory Liability Waiver and Release form that must be signed by each person in advance of joining the walk. Why a waiver for a walking tour, you ask? Couldn’t get insurance without it. Stroll pays insurance… you sign the waiver.
A sense of curiosity, a few questions and a willingness to learn something you didn’t know before.
Of course, dress for the weather; bring a hat, water bottle, umbrella, solid walking shoes (no flip flops!) and anything else you need to be comfortable on the walk.
We walk rain or shine or snow!
However, we do heed storm watches and warnings and would never put you in danger. Stroll may cancel and reschedule a walk due to an issued weather advisory.
We don’t make scheduled bathroom breaks along the walking route. Please attend to personal needs before or after the walking tour.
Twice a year Stroll hosts a series of public walking tours in the spring and fall. Make sure you are on the Stroll newsletter list so you know when they are available!
Absolutely! The walking tour guides have chosen routes with the best possible accessibility in order to accommodate as many people as possible. However, construction happens and we do our best to re-route safely.
If you have any questions about the accessibility of a specific walk, please contact us in advance of booking.
We’ll say it again… Always arrive 10-15 minutes ahead of time! If you arrive exactly at departure time, you’re already late! If you arrive really late, your walking tour will likely be shorter than you planned for.
Public Tours: We start on time so you might miss the introduction. If you’re really late, you might miss the tour if we’ve already moved on.
We know you’re a curious bunch so we’ve been preparing blog posts with additional resources from many of the walking tours. Happy reading!
