Historic Harvard Square landmark to reopen after 5 years
The former newsstand that has been a central landmark in Harvard Square for a century will reopen May 30 after multiple years of construction.
The structure, to be known as the Cambridge KiOSK, will now be a visitor information center and community space hosting arts and culture programming.
The inaugural exhibit at the kiosk will celebrate its legacy as a newsstand, exploring the history of print media in Cambridge, including radical newspapers, music and cultural publications and Out of Town News, the business that occupied the kiosk for decades.
'The reopening of the Cambridge KiOSK is a milestone for our community,' City Manager Yi-An Huang said in a news release. 'This transformation respects the KiOSK's rich history while creating new opportunities for gathering, creativity, and civic engagement in the heart of Harvard Square. We are excited to see it thrive as a welcoming hub where residents and visitors can connect and celebrate Cambridge's cultural vibrancy.'
According to the Cambridge KiOSK website, the building was first constructed in 1925 by the Boston Elevated Railway Company and served as the headhouse—the aboveground portion of the station—for the subway. It was converted into a newsstand in the 1950s when Harvard Square station was constructed.
Out of Town News closed permanently in 2019. Local nonprofit CultureHouse took over with a pop-up community space for eight months, until the pop-up was shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The restoration and renovation of the kiosk was part of a wider transformation of Harvard Square, which will improve accessibility and introduce new landscaping and public seating. Construction on the project began in September 2024 and is expected to be completed in 2026.
CultureHouse was again selected to operate the reimagined kiosk, with plans to host live music and poetry, open mics, art workshops and rotating exhibits celebrating local art and history.
'Out of Town News once brought global conversations to Harvard Square when news from overseas was hard to access. Today, information from around the world is readily available on our phones, but it's local connections that are often hardest to find,' said CultureHouse Executive Director Aaron Greiner. 'By partnering with local artists, creatives, and community leaders, we're transforming this historic landmark into a dynamic hub where people can connect with neighbors, share ideas, and experience culture.'
The Cambridge Visitor Information Center will also return to the kiosk after moving to a temporary space on the first floor of nearby Cambridge Savings Bank during the renovations.
'At the Cambridge KiOSK, visitors will find more than just information; they'll receive personalized recommendations, curated itineraries, and insider tips to experience the very best of Cambridge's arts, culture, and history,' said Cambridge Office for Tourism Interim Executive Director Candice Beaulieu. 'This space has long been a gateway for discovery, and we're excited to continue that tradition with the help of our dedicated volunteers.'
The KiOSK will host a public opening celebration on Friday, May 30 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. with live music, refreshments and a speaking program, after which it will officially open to the public.
The kiosk will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
CultureHouse is seeking artists, nonprofits and businesses to bring events and programing to the kiosk. For more information, fill out the organization's interest form.
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