East Cambridge Savings Bank
Why it's listed
Built in 1931 at 292 Cambridge Street in East Cambridge, this bank building is an unusual example of Art Deco architecture in Cambridge. Boston architect T.M. James designed it; he had also designed the nearby Middlesex Bank in 1917. The exterior is stone, and the building carries stone carving and iron work by Paul Fjelde, a prominent New York sculptor of the period. Inside, the ceilings hold murals by Alfred Rasmussen, a noted Boston portrait painter and muralist. The project was undertaken at the depths of the Depression to give work to East Cambridge craftsmen, and it displays a variety and richness of materials described as unequalled in the Boston area. The building has served as a bank since it was constructed. A prize-winning addition was completed in 1978. Its architectural distinction, decorative artwork and unusual character as a bank of its type are the basis for its listing.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it an unusual example of Art Deco architecture in Cambridge. It contains stone carving and iron work by sculptor Paul Fjelde and ceiling murals by Alfred Rasmussen. It was built during the Depression to provide work for local craftsmen, and its variety of materials is described as unequalled in the Boston area.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82001938, listed April 13, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 292 Cambridge St., Cambridge |
|---|---|
| County | Middlesex County |
| Listed | April 13, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001938 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architect / builder | T.M. James (architect) |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a bank; the form states it is unaltered, though a prize-winning addition was made in 1978. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 42.37076, -71.09279 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82001938.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5327985
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.