Globe Archive

Country’s first printing press

Harvard Square had the first printing press in New England.

From 1640 to 1675, the printing press, which later became known as University Press, did all the printing in America.

It was set up in the college president's house. The first book printed in America was a metrical version of the Psalms for religious use, according to Calvin Coolidge in a speech at Cambridge's 75th anniversary.

Pictured: Horse drawn trains in Harvard Square.