The Victorian house at 103 Irving Street changed hands for $6.525 million, a transaction reported by Mansion Global. The property, built in 1889 and spanning 6,321 square feet, had been on the market for only weeks. It features six bedrooms, hardwood floors, and a contemporary kitchen that contrasts sharply with the historic exterior.
But the real history lives in the Smithsonian. When Julia Child and her husband Paul left Cambridge in 2001, they donated the kitchen to the National Museum of American History. Museum staff dismantled the space, documenting every detail to reconstruct it with original maple countertops and pegboards. The collection includes roughly 1,200 objects, from appliances to utensils, preserving the exact layout Paul Child designed for Julia's height and workflow.
The kitchen’s design was practical, born of necessity. Paul outlined the shape of every pot and pan on the pegboards so everything returned to its place. This setup became the backdrop for 1990s television hits like In Julia's Kitchen with Master Chefs and Baking with Julia. Earlier, The French Chef on WGBH had already introduced millions to French cuisine, but this Cambridge space cemented her status as a household name.
The house itself has evolved. Child donated the property to Smith College, her alma mater, which later sold it. Recent renovations updated the interiors, but the Victorian character remains. The new owner now holds the deed to a home that served as a studio for decades.
Local recognition is in motion, but not yet complete. In August 2026, the Cambridge City Council voted to favor a commemorative plaque at the site. The wording is still being finalized. Crucially, the installation cannot proceed without the new owner's written approval.