The historic Harvard Square kiosk is set to reopen as the Cambridge KiOSK on May 30, with a celebration featuring live music and refreshments. According to an announcement by the City of Cambridge, this landmark will transform into a community gathering space and cultural incubator, offering an inaugural exhibit showcasing Cambridge's print media history.
Organized in partnership with CultureHouse and the Cambridge Office for Tourism, the opening day event, free and open to the public, promised a speaking program from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Visitors to the event, as detailed on the City of Cambridge's official website, will experience the KiOSK's multifaceted cultural offerings through weekly "15 Minutes of Cambridge" talks, complementing the exhibits that pay homage to the area's creative landscape.
"The reopening of the Cambridge KiOSK is a milestone for our community," Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang said in a statement obtained by the City of Cambridge. The new space is not just a nod to the past but a dynamic hub for creativity and civic engagement, aiming to bring people together at Harvard Square's heart. Set against the historic framework, the KiOSK will hold regular hours, opening its doors from Sundays to Thursdays and offering extended hours until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Programming at the KiOSK is designed to spotlight cultural diversity with a range of activities from live performances and art workshops, to historical exhibits. This space will honor the KiOSK's legacy as the former Out of Town News site with an exhibition series and installations like a sculptural display featuring paper airplanes derived from historic newspaper articles, celebrating the kiosk's iconic history, Aaron Greiner, Executive Director of CultureHouse, told the City of Cambridge.
The redesign process of the Cambridge KiOSK focused on reflecting the local community's voices through a two-year initiative encouraging public input. The structure itself has undergone meticulous restoration, spearheaded by a team of dedicated professionals from architects to historians. Their work on details such as the restored roof, interior wood ceiling, and the brick columns were made to mesh the historic with the modern while preserving its special character, Cambridge Commissioner of Public Works Kathy Watkins described. Alongside the programming and services, visitors will appreciate the architectural beauty resulting from the KiOSK's comprehensive restoration.
The Cambridge Visitor Information Center will relocate to the KiOSK, providing visitors with not only information but also personalized recommendations to explore the city's arts and culture scene. Interim Executive Director of Cambridge Office for Tourism, Candice Beaulieu, shared that volunteers, many former customers of Out of Town News, are ready to act as ambassadors, welcoming international travelers and sharing the uniqueness of Cambridge. With the broader transformation of Harvard Square’s central plaza ongoing and expected to be completed in fall 2026, the KiOSK's reopening marks a significant step towards the plaza's enhancement.
