If you’ve lived in the area for a more than a few months, there’s a good chance you’ll spot familiar faces and perhaps exchange a smile or a hello. If you’ve lived here since 1964, you might recognize local resident Phyllis Bretholtz, preserver of memories via camera and a champion for community organizations serving Cambridge and beyond.

Ms. Bretholtz moved to Cambridge in 1964, after traveling around the world for 18 months, visiting areas in Europe, Israel, India, Nepal, Cambodia, Japan, Taiwan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda, among others. The visual documentary of her adventures has endured in thousands of slides. Passion for the camera led her to study visual design and photography at MIT from 1966-1967, an experience which she describes as, “A visual orgy of color, shape and texture.”

Bretholtz taught English at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School from 1970 to 1998 and has since served as the Visual Archivist for the Boston Arts Academy, Fenway High School and Boston Pilot School, taking senior portraits. She asks the students for, “One straight picture, one can be as crazy as you want,” which often yields relaxed and unconventional photographs.

In 2007 she was asked to photograph the history of Longfellow neighborhood as part of a project that will result an upcoming book of collective authorship, tentatively titled “From the Heart of Cambridge, A Neighborhood Portrait.” The changes in Inman Square was the focus of her work, “S & S is now twice what it once was, they used to have a wonderful neighborhood friendly counter.” A more recent exhibition in 2010 showcased 16 pairings of historical photographs supplied by the Cambridge Historic Commission and Bretholtz’s exact re-creations displayed in Clear Conscience Café, titled “Central Square, Then and Now.” Select pieces are on permanent display on the 5th floor of the Cambridge Police Station.

Arial view of Central Square © Phyllis Bretholtz

Cambridge Girl's Sports Day, June 2008 © Phyllis Bretholtz

When asked about her perception of the spirit of Cambridge, Bretholtz reminisces for a time that predated Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks, “ The 60s, 70s, 80s had unique mom and pop shops….we are becoming more homogenous because of gentrification.” Her views on Cambridge and social justice are delivered with aplomb, “I’ve seen the physical, economic, commercial and demographic changes. There is a division between people have money and those who don’t. The lack of diversity is very disconcerting. I was very upset when rent control was voted out of the state of MA; we have been losing rental units dramatically since then.”

The mood shifts when we discuss the local businesses she patronizes. Favorites include Cuchi Cuchi, River God, Clear Conscience, Life Alive and Christina’s Ice Cream. Also, “Jamal makes a wonderful big breakfast with fresh vegetables” at Brookline Lunch in Central Square.

Despite the various inequities, physical and cultural changes, Phyllis Bretholtz loves Cambridge. “I feel really privileged to be living in this city, the values and social justice in this precious little bubble…there is a political consciousness that is really important to me.”

Central Square alley © Phyllis Bretholtz