About the Collection

The Legislative Records Collection

The City Clerk’s Legislative Records Collection documents the Town of Cambridge’s establishment in 1630 through its incorporation as a city in 1846, along with the legislative activity from 1846 through 2021.  The collection details the original planning and laying out of the early town boundaries and property lines, and then progresses into the modern era.  After this date, the records trace the development of the city’s present-day departments, boards, and committees as the city rapidly expanded its services, utilities, and technological developments to serve the ever-growing population. The legislative records also detail the evolution of construction efforts around the city, and the offering of public and social services across Cambridge to individuals and families in need of support with issues ranging from infant care to mental health challenges and homelessness. 

The complete Legislative Records Collection spans 476 boxes and over 250,000 records that will be released periodically as the Records Management and Archives (RMA) team works through the archival processing of the records.  The collection is divided into smaller sections known as series that represent the various departments, committees, boards, and commissions, as well as the various branches of the city's government.  Each series will often cross reference other themes and departments in the collection, given the collaborative nature of Cambridge’s legislative processes. 

Prior to 1942, the City Council consisted of two branches: the Board of Aldermen and the Common Council.  After 1942, the City of Cambridge implemented the present-day structure of government to include nine sitting members on the City Council and the City Manager.