The Cambridge Natural History Museum has a permanent address in downtown Cambridge after closing on the purchase of its building at 132 W. Center St. The Village of Cambridge previously owned the property and allowed the museum to use the space rent-free for the past two years.
Museum founder and curator Anderson Taylor opened the museum on Aug. 10, 2024, at age 9. He has since been recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s youngest museum curator (male).
To help fund the purchase, Taylor launched a GoFundMe campaign in August 2025. The effort has raised more than $20,000 so far, with funds used toward the down payment. The purchase was also supported by a lease agreement with Apex Clean Energy’s Big Bluestem Wind Project, which moved its local office into half of the building in April. Lease income is set to cover ongoing building expenses, with remaining funds applied toward the purchase principal. The museum’s announcement said the arrangement sets up a payoff timeline of about three years.
For construction and building owners, the museum’s plan highlights a familiar reality in many downtown properties: the building envelope comes first. The museum said its most immediate priority is masonry work needed to bring the building into a more sustainable condition. Getting that scope defined early helps keep repair work aligned with budget, scheduling, and long-term use.
After the masonry repairs, the museum plans to renovate a second-story apartment and operate it as a short-term rental. The goal is to create another recurring source of income to support the museum’s operations.
Read the full, original article from AOL.com here.