Boston, MA
Boston was founded in 1630 by Puritan settlers led by John Winthrop and quickly became the political, economic, and cultural center of colonial New England. It was here that events such as the Boston Massacre, the Boston Tea Party, and the Siege of Boston ignited the movement for American independence, earning the city its title as the "Cradle of Liberty." Beyond the Revolution, Boston has continued to shape the nation through its leadership in education, medicine, literature, and innovation. For me, Boston has always been more than a historic city. Living nearby and returning countless times over the years, it has been a place where history comes alive, reminding me that the story of America can be found on nearly every street corner.
Recent Posts
The Vilna Shul
Tucked into the north slope of Beacon Hill is a building that preserves a part of Boston history that has almost completely disappeared. The Vilna Shul is the last surviving purpose-built immigrant-era synagogue in downtown Boston and a reminder of the once-thriving Jewish community of the West End. The congregation was founded in 1893 by […]
The Resident Physician’s House
History is all around us in Boston, and sometimes Marty and I discover it simply by walking without a particular destination. Near Massachusetts General Hospital, we came across this modest red-brick house. Surrounded today by the enormous modern buildings of MGH, it would be easy to walk past without realizing that it represents an important […]
The Gibson House
On a rainy day, with gale-force winds sweeping through Boston, Marty and I made our way into the Back Bay to visit the Gibson House Museum. The weather seemed appropriate for stepping back in time. As we stood on Beacon Street, surrounded by modern Boston, it was hard to imagine that behind this brownstone door […]
Bible Box
While touring the Nichols House Museum in Boston, one piece in Dr. Arthur Nichols’ office immediately caught my attention. Resting on its stand was a beautifully carved oak Bible box, a reminder that even a physician’s office could contain objects that reflected an appreciation for history and craftsmanship. Although often called a “Bible box,” this […]
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area is one of the more unusual units of the National Park System. Established in 1996, it preserves a collection of more than 30 islands scattered throughout Boston Harbor, each with its own unique history. Together they tell the story of Boston’s maritime heritage, military defenses, immigration, public recreation, and […]
Shaw Memorial
Every time I visit Boston Common, I find myself stopping to admire this remarkable relief by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Not only is it one of the finest works of public art in America, but it captures its subject with extraordinary power and dignity. Rather than glorifying war, the sculpture honors the courage, sacrifice, and determination of […]
Nichols House Museum
Many historic houses close for the winter season, making December a challenging time for a house museum enthusiast. When Marty was looking for something to do for my December birthday, he managed to reserve a tour of the Nichols House Museum on Boston’s Beacon Hill. What seemed like a simple outing quickly became an adventure of […]
The Otis House
Perched at the top of Boston’s historic Beacon Hill stands the Otis House, one of the finest surviving examples of Federal style architecture in the city. Designed by renowned architect Charles Bullfinch in 1796 for Harrison Gray Otis, the house reflected the growing prestige and sophistication of Boston’s wealthiest citizens. Otis was a lawyer, politician, real estate developer […]
Make Way for the Ducklings
Walking through the Boston Public Gardens, there is a familiar and beloved sight: a line of small bronze ducks following closely behind their mother. Most locals recognize them as characters from the classic children’s book “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey. These statues were created by sculptor Nancy Schon and installed in 1987 as a […]
William Billings Plaque
Walking along the Boston Common, there are a number of plaques that quietly mark the lives of people who helped shape the early character of the city. One of them is for Willian Billings, listed as one of America’s earliest native-borncomposers. Billings was born and lived in Boston at a time when the country was just beginning to define its […]
Mayor Kevin White
Walking near Faneuil Hall, it is easy to focus on the history you expect to find: Revolutionary sites, early American stories, the familiar markers of the city’s beginnings. Just beyond that, is a figure that is hard to ignore: the life size bronze statue of Kevin H. White. Located at street level and captured mid-stride, the sculpture immediately […]
Norman Lear Statue
Heading back to our car, I stopped to grab this photo in the alley near Emerson College. It is one of those narrow Boston passageways that I might have easily walked past without a thought but tucked into this space is something special: a life-size bronze statue of Norman Lear. Lear attended Emerson in the early 1940s, enrolling […]
