Mid-Cambridge in Middlesex County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)

Indian College

Photographed By Roger W. Sinnott, October 6, 2014

1. Indian College Marker

Inscription.
Near this spot from 1655 to 1698 stood the Indian College. Here American Indian and English students lived and studied in accordance with the 1650 charter of Harvard College calling for the education of the English and Indian youth of this country.

The Indian College was Harvard’s first brick building and housed the college printing press where from 1659 to 1663 was printed the first Bible in North America, the Algonquian translation by John Eliot.

Of the first five American Indians to attend Harvard College, Joel Iacoomes, Eleazar, Benjamin Larnell died prior to graduation, John Wampus left and became a mariner, Caleb Cheeshahteaumuck of the Wampanoag tribe, class of 1665, was the first American Indian to graduate.

This plaque was placed by the Harvard University Native American Program, 1997. A gift of A. Ray Halbritter, HLS ’90, to his parents Ray and Gloria, sister Karen and brother Barry.

Erected 1997 by Harvard University Native American Program.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1655.

Location. 42° 22.43′ N, 71° 7.087′ W. Marker is in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in

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Middlesex County. It is in Mid-Cambridge. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Dunster Street, on the right when traveling west. While not visible from the street, the slate marker is on the east-facing wall, southeast corner, of Matthews Hall at Harvard University. Matthews is in the oldest part of the campus, near the corner at Harvard Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2 Kirkland St, Cambridge MA 02138, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Wadsworth House (within shouting distance of this marker); Fourth Meeting House (within shouting distance of this marker); John "Muggsie" Kelly (within shouting distance of this marker); To Harvard University students faculty staff alumni… (within shouting distance of this marker); Near this spot… (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Wadsworth House (within shouting distance of this marker); Massachusetts Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas Shepard (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cambridge.

Also see . . . Harvard Gazette. Article from 2011 about the diploma, awarded 346 years late, to Joel Iacoomes of the Wampanoag tribe. (Submitted on October 8, 2014, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts.)

Matthews Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Roger W. Sinnott, October 6, 2014

2. Matthews Hall

One of the freshman dormitories in Harvard Yard, Matthews was built in 1872. The marker is visible at the far end of the building in this view. The path leads directly out of the Yard toward Harvard Square.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 8, 2014, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. This page has been viewed 710 times since then and 53 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 8, 2014, by Roger W. Sinnott of Chelmsford, Massachusetts. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.