04/07/2024
Happy 4th of July to our guests from University Arms. Here are six places you should visit whilst in Cambridge to discover the American history in the city:
1. John Harvard at Emmanuel College
John Harvard graduated from Emmanuel College in 1612 and in 1884, a stained glass window of John was installed in the chapel as part of the commemoration of 300 years of Emmanuel.
2. Reverend Godfrey Washington
The great uncle of George Washington, Reverend Godfrey Washington both Fellow and Bursar of Peterhouse College (d. 28th September 1729) is buried in Little St Mary's Church. He was a Deacon there and the church has the coat of arms inside.
Godfrey Washington ministered at LSM from 1705 until his death in 1729. His memorial, on the north wall just at the entrance to the church, is always a point of interest for American visitors because it displays the stars and stripes of the Washington family arms (or in more technical heraldic terms "Argent, two bars Gules, in chief three mullets of the last") surmounted by a black eagle crest. This is thought to be the origin of "Old Glory", the flag of the United States of America, of which Godfrey's great-nephew George was to become the founding President.
3. Cambridge American Cemetery
The Cambridge American Cemetery is the only American WWII cemetery in the United Kingdom. It is one of 26 overseas American cemeteries administered by the American Battle Monuments Commission, the smallest independent executive agency of the American federal government.
4. The Eagle Pub
The second-oldest pub in Cambridge, The Eagle, is a historic establishment that holds a special place in the hearts of many students and faculty at the University of Cambridge. Located in the heart of Cambridge, the Eagle’s rich history dates to 16th century and has been serving students, scholars, locals, and travellers for over two centuries. During WW2 RAF pilots gathered here and left behind a wall of messages in the hope they were never forgotten.
5. Signatories of the American Declaration of Independence:
- Thomas Lynch, Jr. studied at Gonville and Caius College, a representative of South Carolina.
- Arthur Middleton studied at Trinity Hall.
- Thomas Nelson, Jr. studied at Christ's 1758 - 1761.
6. Bottisham Air Museum
The Museum was opened in 2009 to commemorate the sometimes forgotten role of the airfield at Bottisham in World War Two. It is the only UK museum dedicated to the Royal Air Force, United States 8th Army Air Force and Belgian Air Forces. They are now operating out of the last remaining airfield buildings to exist within the airfield’s original perimeter.