Boston’s New England Aquarium

The New England Aquarium opened at its present locale in 1969 after a series of prior locations/failures (four in all). It originated as the Boston Aquarial Gardens in 1859 over on Bromfield Street near the Old South Meeting House.  When it opened visitors were welcome with a 25 cent admission fee. In 1912 it relocated to South Boston into a structure said to resemble a church or a museum where admission was dropped to the low, low price of free.

However, this proved a financial disaster and the site began a slow descent into hardship. Not only was the museum empty, but so were ½ of the existing tanks! In September of 1954 officials decided to close the South Boston Aquarium… and build a tennis court. Finally, in 1969 as part of a revitalization effort of which the city reportedly poured tens of billions of dollars into sprucing up this former parking lot, the latest incarnation of the New England Aquarium opened.

This current building blend a mixture of concrete, glass and metal and houses a 4-story (23 foot deep) 200,000 gallon glass tank. The entire aquarium is built around this tank of which a spiral staircase leads visitors up and around the tank to observe the 7000+ varieties of aquatic species. At the top of the open tank, visitors are entertained with educational sessions as employees of the aquarium dive right in to share their wealth of knowledge.

New England Aquarium

Outside of the front entrance (just to the left actually) is perhaps one of the best bargains in all of Boston… the free harbor seal attraction. Harbor seals are native to the Atlantic Ocean and may be found within Boston Harbor. Outside of these tanks, children and adults alike can enjoy the playful innocence of these creatures as they entertain all who pass by.  If your children begin to worry about the seals sitting under water for extended periods of time, tell them not to worry as the seals can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes.

A few years back, actually around the time of the release of the movie, “March of the Penguins,” tales began to be spread about the theft of a penguin from the New England Aquarium. This penguin was reportedly stolen by a little boy who managed to smuggle the creature out of the aquarium via his backpack. Rest assured, however, all creatures are accounted and the story proved to be just a wide-spread hoax. Per officials from the Aquarium, these tales tend to blossom every so often (ironically in a very similar format) and tend to occur most commonly around the occurrence of high profile events around popular sea creatures.

• Website: http://www.neaq.org
• Address: 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA
• Cost: Adults $22.95; Seniors (60+) $20.95; Children (Ages 3-11) $15.95

Boston’s Crimes-Haunts The Ponzi Scheme

Situated along Boston’s Hanover Street in the early 20th century was the former site of the Security Exchanged Company. This company, much different to the similarly named Securities and Exchange Commission, was the business under which Charles A. Ponzi operated one of the largest money schemes in the history of the United States.

Charles Ponzi emigrated to the US from Italy in 1903 with only $2.50 to his name but with the conviction to build an empire.  Shortly after being fired for stealing from a restaurant where he was working he noticed an apparent loophole or opportunity to actually profit via the acquisition of Postal Reply Coupons.

Postal Reply Coupons, or International Reply Coupons if you are unfamiliar, allow an individual to purchase postage in their resident country and then exchange it for equitable postage in another country. Due to factors such as inflation and exchange rates, one could profit by as much as 400% of the exchange of such coupons, albeit in small individual sums.

Charles Ponzi

Built upon the principal of taking advantage of this not totally illegal concept, Ponzi created the Security Exchanged Company on Hanover Street in 1919. When he first opened for business and promised to pay investors a 50% return on their investment in just 45 days, many balked. However, true to his word, he delivered on such promises to early customers and investors from all over the city began to line up to graciously hand over their cash.

Money began to pour in so quickly that it was stacked up in Ponzi’s office before being deposited daily in massive sums at the nearby Hanover Trust Bank of Boston (also located on Hanover Street). Concerned over appearances on depositing such continual large sums, Ponzi actually acquired a controlling interest in the bank to ensure no questions over the funds arose.

Questions did arise though, in 1920 when a Boston writer explored how Ponzi’s return was economically improbable due to the short investment period. Ponzi immediately retaliated on the author and sued him for libel for which he actually won a $500,000 settlement. This, however, did not fully deter skeptics. In a July article in the Boston Post, Clarence Barron (the founder of modern financial journalism) made two notable observations. The first point Barron inquired about was, if Mr. Ponzi’s scheme is so fantastic and fool proof, then why was it that he himself not an active participant with his own funds? Secondly, and more damning, was the point that based upon known investments, 160 million postal reply coupons would be required to be in circulation. Per the United States Postal Service, however, only 27,000 coupons were in circulation.

Rather quickly things began to unravel for Charles and by August of 1920 he was arrested on mail fraud charges. Ponzi was exposed for never having invested in postal reply coupons. He had simply taken the funds from later investors to pay off earlier investors. Robbing Peter to pay Paul as the saying goes. Ponzi’s once vast  $7 million businesses had collapsed almost overnight into $4.5 million in debt and all his outstanding investors were left with a return of only $.30 on the dollar.

For their efforts, the Post won a Pulitzer Prize in 1921.  And, Charles, well he spent most of the next 14 years in jail before eventually being deported back to Italy. The scheme he made famous, however, continued to live on most recently via Bernie Madoff in 2009. Despite the fact that the Ponzi scheme is named after himself, Charles did not actually come up with the scheme. It’s unknown who was the first to actually come up with and use the investment scam, however, the concept was noted back as early as 1857 in Charles Dickens’ novel, Little Dorrit.

• Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Ponzi
• Address: Hanover Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free to invest time learning about, not free if you choose to participate in one

Boston’s Paul Revere Mall

The Paul Revere Mall, known just as The Prado by locals, was developed in 1933. In the midst of this mall is a large fountain. Attached to a brick wall along the south side of the park is a series of about a dozen bronze plaques. Each plaque honors respected North End locals from the past. In addition, there are plaques which commemorate Paul Revere and William Dawes, and a larger relief which depicts a map of the area as it would have appeared 1646.

The centerpiece of the Paul Revere Mall though, is obviously the large equestrian statue of Paul Revere. The piece sculpted by Cyrus Edwin Dallin who was commissioned to do the statue when he was only 22 years old. Maybe it was his youth, inexperience, or maybe Cyrus has been just a perfectionist because it took him some sixteen years to finalize the sculpture. Reportedly four to seven versions actually precede the version currently situated in front of you now. The statue, however, was finally unveiled in September of 1940.

Paul Revere Mall

The sculpture itself depicts Revere astride his horse, supposedly, en route during his famous Midnight Ride. Revere is shown in his colonial tricorne hat and coat with his right arm hanging out as if waving or gesturing. Interestingly enough the depiction of Revere also shows him as a tall, slender gentleman when in actuality he was of medium height and a bit stocky.

If you explore the area a bit further, there is a historical marker that is located under a green awning on Hanover Street (on the SE corner of the park). Attached to the building about eye height is a sign which speaks to the various Festas which occur in the North End area throughout the summer season.

• Website: http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=19275
• Address: Intersection of Hanover Street and Clark Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free

Three pieces of art in Boston’s Post Office Square

Post Office Square, which is home to some 100+ varieties of trees and flower, is also sometimes referred to as the Norman B. Leventhal Park after a former building development within the area. This area was formerly where many manufacturers of rope for ships and such resided in the 1700s. After a fire wiped out those factories, the area was residing for a period of time featuring large stately homes. Unfortunately, a “second” fire (Great Fire of 1872) wiped out these homes and the area underwent a further revitalization. The surrounding streets were all widened and the space left was this small triangular traffic island outside of the former Post Office (now the site of the John W. McCormack Court House). The park was formally opened to the public in 1874.

The park today is 1.7 acres of lush green space that is often frequented by local business men and women during lunch time. To encourage such behavior the city, even provides cushions for free use within the park for each of its visitors to lounge on the grass without soiling their formal attire. Ironically, despite a reluctance to offer this service for fear of the cushions “growing legs,” the city claims that not a single cushion has been stolen to date.

A further piece of irony surrounding this park is that hidden beneath all of this serenity is that a parking garage resides directly underneath. This has lent itself to the park’s slogan, “Park above, park below.”

Post Office Square is probably best recognized for its long garden trellis which flows through the center area of the park. This 143’ long trellis, which is covered with 7 species of vines, cover a narrow walking path which visitors may follow from one end of the park to the other.
The Square is also home to a handful of wonderful pieces of public art including.

You may learn more about each of these pieces of art below:

Angell Memorial Fountain

The Angell Memorial Fountain is located in a smaller partitioned section of the park near the intersection of Milk Street and Pearl Street (on the north side of Milk Street).

Angell Memorial Fountain

What you’ll see at the Angell Memorial Fountain: This fountain was given in honor of the founder of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, George Thorndike Angell.  The name of this fountain is confirmed by the large letters atop the obelisk-like structure specifying, “In memory of George Thorndike Angell 1823 – 1909.” Atop this large pillar is a brass angel; while at its base are a series of lion heads from which the fountain is replenished via their mouths. When this fountain was originally introduced in 1912 it was used as a watering hole for horses.

Creature Pond

Creature Pond is located in a smaller partitioned section of the park near the intersection of Milk Street and Pearl Street (on the north side of Milk Street).

Creature Pond 

What you’ll see at the Creature Pond: This bronze pond sculpture was a 1982 addition to the park and is covered with a multitude of creatures… hence giving it its clever name, Creature Pond. It is actually the work of not one, but nine different artists, each of whom added their own selection of flora and fauna. Gazing upon the structure you may not such animals as frogs, ducks, birds and lily pads all floating atop a pond of bronze.

Immanent Circumstance 

The fountain actually consists of two pieces. The large fountain piece is located near the NE corner of the park near the intersection of Pearl Street and Milk Street. The smaller urn fountain may be viewed near the southern end of the park (near Franklin Street).

Immanent Circumstance

What you’ll see at the Immanent Circumstance: Immanent Circumstance consists of two fountains and was sculptured by Rhode Island artist Howard Ben Tre. The large fountain is complemented by a smaller urn-like fountain, each of which is located at opposite ends of the park. The more recognized larger fountain consists of five pillars topped with a circular glass frame. From the upper frame, water emits into an arch where it disposes of a single stream of water within the pillars

• Website: http://www.normanbleventhalpark.org/history.html
• Address: Post Office Square, Boston, MA (Approximate intersection of Milk Street and Pearl Street)
• Cost: Free

Boston’s Museum Of African American History

Located at 46 Joy Street, The Museum of African American History is the home of the 1.6 mile Black Heritage Trail.  This trail connects fourteen sites across Boston and celebrates the pursuit of freedom by blacks in America. Sites along this path include the Robert Gould Shaw & 54th Regiment Memorial, the Middleton-Glapion Home, the African Meeting House and the Lewis and Harriet Hayden Home.

This area around Joy, and more specifically the small side street known as Smith Court, contained a strong community of free blacks in the late 18th century. African Americans began to settle here after Massachusetts became the first state in the United States to declare slavery illegal in 1783. This act by Massachusetts was performed to show appreciation to those black soldiers who fought so bravely with the Union during the Civil War.

The Museum of African American History was formerly known as the Abiel Smith School. This site was the first public school for black children. It was named for a white businessman who donated approximately $2,000 to aid in the education of these kids. The school was erected as a two-story red brick building that was dedicated on March 31, 1835. It cost just under $7,500 to construct.

Museum Of African American History

The Abiel School continued to operate successfully for twenty years until legislation in 1855 created an integrated school system. This law formally allowed students to attend the school closest to their home, and therefore nullified the need for what was at the time, a blacks-only school.

After the Abiel School closed this building saw a few different levels before being acquired by Sue Bailey Thurman in 1964 who converted it to the museum which still exists today. The museum is open daily from 10am-4pm Monday through Saturday (less Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years). A small admission fee to enter the museum does exist.

• Website: http://www.afroammuseum.org/
• Address: 46 Joy Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Adults $5; Children 13-17 years old and Seniors $3; Children under 12 are free.
• Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-4pm

Boston’s Old City Hall Former Boston Latin School

Located on a street named for one of its former tenants (Boston Latin School) is a large granite structure which was also the former home of Boston’s City Hall. The Boston Latin School, the first primary tenant, was founded on April 23, 1635. It was located at this site until 1844 when it relocated to the Fenway, just west of downtown Boston, at 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur. It was the very first public school. Students upon enrolling here were required to take three to four years of Latin. Among the many noted alumni include Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Benjamin Franklin.

After the Latin school relocated the building was vacant for a period before becoming the site of Boston’s City Hall. The current building is actually the third City Hall, which was erected in 1865. This site remained the center of Boston politics for thirty-eight mayors until 1969 when the controversial Government Center was built. The current tenants of the former Latin School and City Hall now include some commercial offices and a popular steak house.

Old City Hall is constructed in the French Second-Empire-style with four distinct tiers to it and containing two sets of large columns that border the front bay. It was designed by Gridley J. Fox Bryant and Arthur Gilman. Gilman also designed the nearby Arlington Street Church by the Boston Public Gardens, and whom based this structure on the 1850s extension to the Louvre in Paris. His inspiration likely comes from the days he studied in France.

If you walk inside the front bay entrance you will find a series of murals that provide further history to the building. Prior to being reused for commercial purposes and after the abandonment of City Hall, the building was considered to be razed before it was declared a National Historic Landmark. In fact, the Old City Hall was actually one of the very first buildings to obtain such a designation in all of America. Today it is also a popular stop along Boston’s Freedom Trail.

If you explore with the courtyard area you will find three notable statues of interest:

• Donkey Statue by Unknown Artist.
• Josiah Quincy Statue by Thomas Ball.
• Benjamin Franklin Statue by Richard Saltonstall Greenough.

INFO
Website: http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/visitor/boston-latin.html
Address: 45 School Street, Boston, MA
Cost: Free

Toronto-Dominion (TD) Garden, Boston

TD is Toronto-Dominion who are the owners of TD Bank, and the sponsors of the Garden… or Gah-din as locals often refer to it as. It opened in September of 1995 just nine inches north of its predecessor, the original Boston Garden. The TD Garden was previously known as The Fleet Center, until 2005, when it was re-dubbed the TD Garden. There was actually a period of approximately thirty days in 2005 between these sponsors that naming rights for one day were sold on eBay with profits donated to local charities. Twice during this period the winning bid had to actually be “settled” such as one New Yorkers bid to rename the facility the Derek Jeter Center. So, all in all, the Garden has actually undergone 33 name changes over its brief history.

The Garden is, of course, home to the local Boston basketball and hockey teams—The Celtics and Bruins. Entering these hallowed halls emits memories of days gone past for both revered franchises. The Boston Bruins, one of the Original Six franchise in the NHL and five time Stanley Cup Champions. The Boston Celtics, with names like Larry Bird and Bill Russell led the franchise to a record 17 NBA Championships, including an unprecedented eight in a row from 1959-1966.

Inside of the TD Garden is also a commuter rail in Boston’s North Station. Within North Station is a bronze plaque dedicated to the second most important figure in the history of the Boston Celtics… Red Auerbach.  Now, I say second most important not on my own accord, but from the vantage of the franchise themselves. Within the arena are retired jerseys of their two most prominent contributors as jersey numbers 1 and 2 which hang from the rafters. Number 1, if you are wondering is the Celtics founder, Walter Brown.

Atop the bronze relief dedicated to Arnold “Red” Auerbach is the quote, “The Boston Celtics are not a basketball team they are a way of life.” Just off to the left and right are a list of his accomplishments with the organization, including the unimaginable eight consecutive NBA championships as coach of the Boston Celtics and an additional seven NBA titles as General Manager, Vice Chairman and President.

Toronto-Dominion (TD) Garden

The relief which depicts Red enjoying one of his signature cigars shows off his eccentric nature. Red was a man who was not to be disturbed in his office during Hawaii Five-O, and who lived by his own creed. When he knew victory was a foregone conclusion near the end of the game, he often sat down on the sidelines and lit up a cigar to enjoy the moment.

The TD Garden, when it is not hosting the home town Celtics or Bruins, also often serves as a concert venue. The Grateful Dead are the act which performed the most at The Garden with twenty-four shows. Local legends Aerosmith has ironically only played here ten times.

• Website: http://www.tdgarden.com/
• Address: 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free to view. For ticket information, see the website above

BOSTON’S CRIMES-HAUNTS – UGLIEST BUILDING IN THE WORLD

In a 2008 online survey Virtualtourist asked its travel savvy audience to identify the ugliest building in the entire world. Their selection? Boston’s City Hall. Ironically, after this structure was completed in 1968, a poll conducted by the AIA (American Institute of Architects) actually rated City Hall as the sixth best building ever built in the history of the US. Now recognize that this meant that it was ranked higher than the Empire State Building and the US Capitol.

 Boston’s City Hall

In the 1950s the entire area around City Hall (now referred to as Government Plaza) was cleared, thereby destroying the last remnants of a former red-light district known as the Old Scollay Square.  Over 1,000 buildings and twenty-two streets were razed during this city revitalization effort.

Boston’s current City Hall was the vision of three professors from Columbia University, the youngest of whom was only 25 years old, and who won a design competition out of 256 applicants. City Hall’s architectural style is described as Brutalist Modern, with “Brutalist” probably being the key adjective here. The surrounding brick plaza was the design of IM Pei, whose name you may recognize as having designed the tallest building in Boston, the John Hancock Tower and whom is also responsible for the glass pyramid outside of the Louvre.

Now, we’ve been critical of the physical appearance of City Hall thus far, but the intent and design of the structure is actually quite innovative. There are three distinct sections to the building—each with a distinct intended purpose. The lowest and most accessible level, of brick is meant to contain those government services, most visited and used by the public. The second level maintains protruding blocks that are meant to draw attention that the most prominent public officials serve in this area, including the Mayor and City Council. And finally the third level with its highly symmetrical and structured windows is meant to evoke order and formality, much like the offices of bureaucratic agencies which reside here such as the city planning department.

Originally the designers had intended to include within these walls a beer hall similar to those of Germany’s City Halls. It is probably fortunate, however, for the city of Boston, that its elected officials are not tempted during the day prior to voting on any legislation.

• Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_City_Hall
• Address: 1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free

Boston’S Faneuil Hall-Grasshopper Weathervane

Perhaps the most recognizable element to Faneuil Hall is the grasshopper weather vane perched atop the roof. This copper addition which is gilded with gold leaf, was 1st created by a silversmith by the name of Shem Drowne who constructed it in 1742. Mr. Drowne also created another popular weather vane in Boston, which you may admire if you happen to visit the Old North Church in the North End.
After being damaged in the 1761 fire, Shem’s son, Thomas, actually repaired the weather vane and when he did, began a tradition called “Food for the Grasshopper” when he inserted a time capsule inside. Now periodically mayors of the city of Boston will each leave their own piece of history by inserting additions to the capsule.

Grasshopper Weathervane

As to the origin or significance of a grasshopper, the most common theory to this is that the weather vane was reportedly modeled after a similar structure atop the London Royal Exchange. It is assumed that this long standing association with the Royal Exchange is what spurred Mr. Drowns similar creation.

When this weather-vane was originally shipped to Faneuil Hall to be placed atop its perch, it almost did not arrive. Due to a mail mix-up (which apparently happened even back in the 1700s) the weather vane was supposedly shipped to the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, where it sat atop their Wren Building for 3 months before the mix-up was noted and the individuals at the college noted that they had actually ordered a butterfly.

During the American Revolution the grasshopper played a great significance for colonists trying to identify British spies. When an individual was suspected of being disloyal to the revolutionary cause they were asked to identify what was atop Faneuil Hall. If they were unable to answer they were convicted of being a British spy.

In January of 1974 (the middle of winter mind you), the 80 pound grasshopper was actually stolen. It took police only 2 days to find the missing piece and luckily it had not gone far as its thief (whom was a steeplejack working on Faneuil Hall) had only made it as far as the attic.

• Website: http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/
• Address: 1 Faneuil Hall Square, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free

What you must know about The Old Corner Bookstore, Boston

The Old Corner Bookstore was originally the site of the home of a Puritan woman named Anne Hutchinson. Hutchinson resided at her home here from the years 1634 to 1638 before she was expelled from the Massachusetts Bay Colony for her differing religious views. Despite the fact that many colonists had come to America to establish religious freedom, the largely Puritan group strictly imposed a uniform view with proponents typically being outcast from the settlement. Hutchinson’s cause was further abhorred due to the fact that she was a female preaching such messages at a time when it was unacceptable for women to be so outspoken. Today Anne is recognized as pioneer in religious freedom and her efforts are celebrated via a sculpture outside of the Massachusetts State House. When she was expelled in 1638, however, Anne was forced to relocate her family to an area near the Bronx, NY. Sadly Anne and her six children met an ill demise in their exile as they were savagely killed and scalped by Mohawk Indians.

Old Corner Bookstore

The Hutchinson residence was destroyed during a massive fire within Boston on October 3, 1711. The replacement brick structure was built shortly thereafter and is the current building that still resides here today. The early-Georgian structure with gambrel roof was built to serve as both a home and apothecary shop to Thomas Crease.

The most noted resident at this locale, however, was a publishing firm by the name of Ticknor and Fields. As early as 1829 printing presses were moved onto this site when Timothy Harrington Carter first began publishing books here. In 1832 two men by the names of James Thomas Fields and William Ticknor established their own publishing company within that would ultimately bear their names. The firm was truly innovative in that it was the first of its kind to actually offer royalties for authors. Prior to this period authors were typically only granted a single upfront payment and the authors did not maintain copyright to their own works. The new business model was obviously favored by writers who came to Ticknor and Fields in droves. Amongst those who had works published here included the likes of Charles Dickens, Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Oliver Wendell Homes, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, and Nathaniel Hawthorne (who published his two most noted works, The Scarlet Letter and The House of Seven Gables here). Ticknor and Fields, in fact, became so renown that it was once referred to as “The Hub of the Hub” (a reference to Boston’s nickname of “Hub of the Universe” given to it by Oliver Wendell Holmes).

Ticknor and Fields operated out of this building until 1865, just one year after William Ticknor’s death. Upon its departure, the publishing firm relocated to a site just across the street from the Park Street Church. The company would remain a significant contributor to the publishing world until it was acquired by the Houghton, Mifflin and Company in 1889. The name of Ticknor and Field was officially retired in 1908 when it was officially absorbed under the Houghton-Mifflin brand.

Subsequent to Ticknor and Fields exodus from School Street, this address saw a series of other publishers operate out of here for a given period. The building then went into a period of dams during the 20th century and was operating as a pizza parlor in 1960 when it was proposed for demolition. A private company would save the building from destruction when it acquired the property for the sum of $100,000. The firm, Historic Boston, Inc. Operates as a not-for-profit organization that works to identify and invest in the redevelopment of historically significant buildings.

Since being saved from the wrecking ball, the Old Corner Bookstore has had a revolving door of retail tenants. From 1982-1997 the Globe Corner Bookstore, the largest travel book and map company in North America, operated a store here. The Boston Globe then ran a run-of-the-mill souvenir shop within from 1998-2002. Three years later, Ultra Diamonds tried their luck at selling fine jewelry along the Freedom Trail until their closure in 2009. And most recently, the Old Corner Bookstore has proven that historic buildings know no bounds when it comes to meeting rent payments when the fast-food burrito chain Chipotle opened here.

• Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/oldcorner.asp
• Address: 3 School Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free

Boston's Cheers Pub Review

Boston's Cheers Pub Review - Welcome to the little pub where everybody knows your name here in Kansas City, Missouri. Huh? Or Barstow, California? It doesn’t quite feel right, however, these are two locations that producers of the hit television series Cheers considered setting their comedy before settling on a quaint little pub located in Boston’s Beacon Hill.

Cheers Boston

Cheers pub was originally known as the Bull and Finch Pub, an ode to famous Boston architect Charles Bulfinch whom is responsible for designing the Massachusetts State House and the U.S. The Capitol in Washington, D.C. It began operations in 1969 and was a favorite amongst locals for years. Then in 1981 everything changed when two Hollywood writers visited the pub and decided to base a television series on it. The rest, as they say, is history.

Cheers premiered on September 30, 1982 but was nearly canceled after placing dead last in television ratings in its first season (77th place). A few years later it was one of NBC’s top series as part of their “Must See” Thursday night line-up. The show lasted 11 seasons, 275 episodes, and received 100 Emmy nominations. In what was perhaps the most memorable episode on May 20, 1993, hundreds gathered outside of this famous pub to celebrate the airing of the show’s final episode. On this evening Jay Leno filmed the Tonight Show here and the evening drew to a close with Gary Portnoy (the theme song’s writer and performer) singing the theme song along with the cast one final time.

The show, in its initial planning stages, almost made some castings which would have forever changed the perspective of some of our favorite characters. The role of Sam Malone, for instance, was originally slated for Fred Dryer who would play an ex-football player (instead of baseball). And in an even more ironic twist, John Ratzenberger (who played our favorite know-it-all mailman Cliff Clavin) began auditioning for the show via the role of Norm Peterson.

Cheers is located within a 1910 five-story Georgian townhouse known as the Hampshire House. In the early 1900s, this was the site of many high society dinners and events. It received its name during the Second World War and was named in honor of the English counties of Lincolnshire and Hampshire.

• Website: http://www.cheersboston.com
• Address/Phone: 84 Beacon Street, Boston. (617) 227-9605
• Hours: Open daily at 11am
• Prices: $$
• Accept Credit Card? Yes
• Accept Reservations? No

Boston's Old City Hall: Benjamin Franklin Statue & Boston Latin School

Benjamin Franklin Statue Located on the left side of the courtyard of Boston’s Old City Hall (assuming you are facing the structure) is the city’s first portrait statue. This 8’ bronze sculpture was erected in 1856 on the 150th birthday of its subject, Benjamin Franklin. The sculptor was Richard Saltonstall Greenough.

Benjamin Franklin Statue

In viewing the statue we see Franklin standing in plain dress while holding a cane and hat. If you walk around the statue you will find four bronze bas-reliefs, each of which shows a significant event in U.S. The history of which Franklin was a part of. If you begin on the side opposite the Old City Hall you will see Franklin as a young boy working a printing press. Just off towards the right, we find a much older Benjamin Franklin signing the Declaration of Independence (that would be Ben in the center of relief). Continuing around in a counter clockwise direction has been Franklin signing yet another significant documented, the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War. On the final side of the pedestal there is a relief showing Franklin conducts his infamous kite experiment.

Each of these events depicted on the base of this statue are ones which you are likely well versed and/or educated on via your US history lessons, so I thought we’d end with one tale of Mr. Franklin that you may not have come across in your history textbooks.

In 1781 Benjamin Franklin was serving as U.S. Ambassador to France and becoming increasingly frustrated by the significant number of pointless tasks being undertaken by the many European academia he was dealing with. In a letter of sarcasm to his fellow officials he drafted a proposal titled “A Letter to the Royal Academy” or what has become more commonly referred to now as “Fart Proudly.” In his letter, Mr. Franklin mocks the system by proposing that educational efforts be spent on analyzing the effects of human farting and trying to identify ways to improve upon its smell. So, there you have it, Benjamin Franklin… inventor, founding father and proponent of aromatic flatulence.

• Website: http://www.celebrateboston.com/statue/benjamin-franklin-statue.htm 
• Address: 45 School Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free

Boston’S Birthplace Of Benjamin Franklin

The site at 1 Milk Street has actually been the former residence of two famous individuals in Boston and American history. In the 1600s the future wife of the founder of Boston, William Blackstone, lived at this location. If we fast forward to the next century, perhaps one of the greatest inventors of our time was born at this address, Mr. Benjamin Franklin.

It was at this address in a former two-story home that Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706. Ben was the fifteenth of seventeen children.

Franklin is, of course, best known for his early experimentations with electricity, the development of the public library system in the US, the conceptualization of paying it forward and as a member of the 5-person committee that helped draft our nation’s Declaration of Independence.

When the actual birth home of Franklin burned down in 1872, the builder responsible for erecting its replacement ensured that Franklin’s legacy would not be lost. He carved a bust with the words, “Birthplace of Franklin” above the front entrance on Milk Street.

• Website: http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMW38_Birthplace_of_Benjamin_Franklin  
• Address: 1 Milk Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free

Boston’S Old City Hall & Former Boston Latin School

Located on a street named for one of its former tenants (Boston Latin School) is a large granite structure which was also the former home of Boston’s City Hall. The Boston Latin School, the first primary tenant, was founded on April 23, 1635. It was located at this site until 1844 when it relocated to the Fenway, just west of downtown Boston, at 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur. It was the very first public school. Students upon enrolling here were required to take three to four years of Latin. Among the many noted alumni include Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Benjamin Franklin.

Boston Latin School

After the Latin school relocated the building was vacant for a period before becoming the site of Boston’s City Hall. The current building is actually the third City Hall, which was erected in 1865. This site remained the center of Boston politics for thirty-eight mayors until 1969 when the controversial Government Center was built. The current tenants of the former Latin School and City Hall now include some commercial offices and a popular steak house.

Old City Hall is constructed in the French Second-Empire-style with four distinct tiers to it and containing two sets of large columns that border the front bay. It was designed by Gridley J. Fox Bryant and Arthur Gilman. Gilman also designed the nearby Arlington Street Church by the Boston Public Gardens, and whom based this structure on the 1850s extension to the Louvre in Paris. His inspiration likely comes from the days he studied in France.

If you walk inside the front bay entrance you will find a series of murals that provide further history to the building. Prior to being reused for commercial purposes and after the abandonment of City Hall, the building was considered to be razed before it was declared a National Historic Landmark. In fact, the Old City Hall was actually one of the very first buildings to obtain such a designation in all of America. Today it is also a popular stop along Boston’s Freedom Trail.

• Website: http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/visitor/boston-latin.html
• Address: 45 School Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free

Boston’s Crimes & Haunts – Blonde Witch Of Lime Street

Boston’s Crimes & Haunts – Blonde Witch Of Lime Street. It was in the spring of 1923 in this small 4-story brick home that one of the most debated psychic research projects ever began.

Blonde Witch Of Lime Street

It began innocently enough when the Margery’s husband, Dr. LeRoy Goddard Crandon became intrigued by areas of science, such as telekinesis and séances. His interest, turned passion, led him to even build a table exactly to the specifications of a case reported in Belfast of one Kathleen Goligher. In May of the same year, Dr. Crandon decided to put his table to the test by inviting some friends over to hold a séance with himself and Margery. During the course of the meditation, he found that the table moved, but only when Margery participated in the rituals. The experiments continued and word quickly began to spread of the Blonde Witch of Lime Street.

While many believed the events to be the real thing, a handful of skeptics remained, including Harry Houdini who flew into Boston in July to observe the matter in person. Houdini, a master of illusions himself, quickly deduced and discovered a switch which Margery used to perform her tricks. While this may have deterred most, Margery continued the charade to countless followers. It is said that many of these followers were seduced by her “charms” during these séances. The so-called charms partially been attributed to the low cut dresses she reportedly wore during these sessions.

Strong opinions swayed both ways over the summer, even drawing an interest across the pond. Famous Sherlock Holmes, writer, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (pictured here), was so riled over the debate that he printed an ad in Boston newspapers stating, “JB Rhine is an Ass.” J.B. Rhine (Joseph Banks) is widely considered to be the “Father of Modern Parapsychology” and was obviously a strong proponent of Ms. Stinson. As part of his study, Rhine sought to investigate the existence and causes of psychic abilities.

• Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mina_Crandon
• Address: 10 Lime Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free

Story About Commonwealth Avenue Boston

Commonwealth Avenue, Boston’s own French-style boulevard was established with its large 100 foot mall area in 1856. It was at this time that the street was widened to 200 feet with 20 foot lot lines on each side of the street (so basically 240 feet wide in total).  Locals know this quaint area as a path for quiet strolls. Tourists occasionally frequent this area to visit the numerous historic statues situated within each landscaped block.

Commonwealth Avenue, Boston

Overall the mall area stretches about three-quarters of a mile and seven street blocks (from Hereford Street on the west to Arlington Street on the east). Observant walkers may notice that these cross streets are alphabetical, including: Arlington, Berkeley, Clarendon, Dartmouth, Exeter, Fairfield, Gloucester and Hereford.

Many of the homes along this picturesque avenue were all built in 1861. These include numbers 27, 21-23, and 3. The address at Number 3 is also the site of the French Consulate General.

Statues located along Commonwealth Avenue include:

• General John Glover: Located between Clarendon Street and Berkeley Street.
• Alexander Hamilton: Located between Berkeley Street and Arlington Street.

 MAP Info

• Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Avenue,_Boston
• Address: Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free

History of Phillips Brooks Statue at the Trinity Church Boston

If you make your way around the left corner from the front façade of Trinity Church (that would be the north side) there is a memorable bronze statue which commemorates the long time preacher for Trinity, Phillips Brooks. Brooks was known for delivering some of the most noted sermons across American right here during the late 19th century.

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It was Brooks who, after the original Trinity Church was destroyed via fire in 1872, who worked so diligently to ensure the construction of the building in front of you. Brooks’ powerful sermons, including the funeral of Abraham Lincoln, were the product of much hard work. When he delivered his 1st sermon in London’s Westminster Abbey it was said, his voice could not be heard beyond the 1st row. Through much effort and motivation, Phillips became one of the most influential speakers of our time. Ironically, despite his countless motivational speeches, it is a little song known as O’ Little Town of Bethlehem for which we wrote that he is best known for.

The statue was constructed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens in 1910, although not formally moved to its current location until 1925. The statue depicts Brooks standing in his robes with his left arm resting on a podium while raising his right arm while no doubt delivering one of his infamous speeches. Situated directly behind Brooks is Jesus Christ with his hand resting on the Brooks’ shoulder as if providing support or perhaps filtering his own message directly through Brooks. Just below the statue are the words, “Preacher of the Word of God / Lover of Mankind / Born in Boston / Died in Boston.”

• Website: http://www.trinitychurchboston.org/
• Address: 206 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Tours are $6 for adults (guided or self-guided) and free for children under 16

Boston attraction's Crimes-Haunts : OMNI PARKER HOUSE

The Omni Parker’s paranormal history may actually pre-date the historic hotel. In 1770 while attempting to deter some children from sledding on a hill on formerly located at this site, a British soldier got into a skirmish with the surrounding crowd. What began with the crowd throwing rocks, ended with soldiers shooting into the crowd and killing five children. This blood stained snow may have laid the paranormal foundation for what many consider the most haunted hotel in all of New England.

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The hotel’s most famous resident ghost belongs to its founder, Harvey Parker. Mr. Parker passed away on May 31, 1884 at the age of 79. It is debatable, though if Mr. Parker ever really left his beloved hotel, for it is said that he occasionally makes an appearance to check in with guests to ensure they are enjoying their stay. His ghostly apparition is said most often appear on the hotel’s 10th floor. This floor ironically did not even exist during his lifetime as the hotel was only eight stories at the time. So if you ever visit the Omni Parker and not an older heavyset man with beard and mustache in Victorian era clothing asking if everything is o.k., rest assured it is just the hotel’s former founder trying to make your stay a pleasant one.

In addition to Mr. Parker’s presence the 10th floor is said to also be the source of a rocking chair which guests have complained creaks all hours of the night. The odd part of this? The hotel has never carried any rocking chairs on the premise.

One additional floor has been noted for some infrequent “odd” occurrences. One elevator reportedly has been known to stop at the 3rd floor despite not being selected and despite efforts to fix the apparent mechanical glitch. Individuals have argued that it may be the ghost of either Charlotte Cushman or Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Longfellow and a number of other prominent writers (including Emerson and Thoreau) would often gather on the third floor for monthly meetings of their Saturday Club in which members would read poetry and debate the hot topics of the day. It is said that Longfellow is the mysterious guest pushing the third floor button just so as to attend another one of his Saturday Club Meetings. In regards to Charlotte Cushman, she was a famous nineteenth-century actress known for playing both male and female roles. She actually lived in the Charles Dickens Suite on the third floor where she passed away in 1876. Some people figure Ms. Cushman just never left.

Finally, as if this activity was not enough to possess the third floor, a traveling liquor salesman whom passed away in Room 303 is said to still haunt the floor with his laughter and whiskey fused breath. In fact the complaints about 303 persisted so often that the hotel actually decided to retire the room and made it into a storage closet, which it remains to this day.

MAP

• Website: omnihotels.com
• Address: 60 School Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free

Trinity Church One of the Attractions in Boston

Trinity’s amazing architecture has made it the only church to make the American Institute of Architect’s (AIA) “Ten Most Significant Buildings in the United States” list every year since 1885.
Trinity church was designed by Henry Hobson (sometimes referred to as HH) Richardson in 1877 as a replacement for the former church which burned down in the Great Boston Fire of 1872. Luckily for fans of this architectural marvel, Mr. Richardson was unable to pursue a desired career in the military earlier in his life after he was denied admission to West Point. Instead, he attended Harvard to focus on a career in engineering.

His architectural style (well demonstrated here) is described as a combination of High Victorian Gothic and/or Romanesque, which Richardson actually combined into a unique style which inherited his name.

Trinity is best known for its rough red/brown granite and sandstone exterior. It features 1 large square central tower surrounded by 2 smaller towers on the left and right, each of topping via a cone-shaped peak. The main tower is said to weight some 90 million pounds and was actually supposed to be more extravagant and tall, however, due to the fact that the church is built upon the soft lands of what was formerly a mud flat, designers were limited in this regards. In order to support the church it had to be built upon 4500 wooden piles.

When the church first opened in 1877, only 1 stained glass window was installed within the entire structure due to high costs. As additional funds were able to be raised, plain windows were replaced with stained glass. In less than a year, almost 2/3 of the planned spaces were filled (20 of 33 designated locales).

The church’s beautiful and picturesque nature has led it to become “the” hot locale for young brides in waiting. The waiting list is supposedly so long that women have signed up “in anticipation” of meeting that special someone prior to their selected date.

INFO :

• Website:  trinitychurchboston.org
• Address: 206 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Tours are $6 for adults (guided or self-guided) and free for children under 16

MAP

Old North Church Boston Facts

Old North Church Boston Facts. “The Old North” name was traditionally attached to whatever church was deemed to be the oldest at the current time and may have changed on numerous occasions. Thus, from this description you’ve probably been able to conclude, at a minimum, this is the oldest church in the North End. In actuality it is the oldest church in all of Boston, having been built in 1723.

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This red brick (513,654 in all) structure has a 175 foot white wooden steeple.  Within the steeple are also the oldest church bells in the United States.  The steeple is actually the 3rd—the prior to having been knocked over by hurricanes. The weather-vane at the very top of the steeple was built by the same man who built the weather-vane that sits atop Faneuil Hall—Deacon Shem Drowne.

The Old North is most associated with the tale of “One if by land, Two if by sea,” which will former immortalize this church in Revolutionary War lore. Rewind the clocks back to April 18, 1775. The young American colonies had begun to make waves with their desires for Independence from the clutches of the British crown. The British began to mount initiatives to steal the Colonies ammunition supplies in Lexington and Concord and set off down the Charles River in the middle of the night. Paul Revere caught wind of the incident and came to the Old North Church where he asked the church sexton (an individual in charge of maintenance for the church) by the name of Robert Newman to light signal lanterns in the steeple and notify the Charlestown Patriots. Revere, in turn, headed off on a horse (along with William Dawes) to notify Lexington and Concord of the planned assault.

A system for the lamp lighting had already been previously devised and that follows the motto you have now already heard, “One if by land, two if by sea.” It was under these instructions that Mr. Newman lit 2 lamps, for just a few seconds… long enough for Charlestown to see. Newman then had to escape out a window from the steeple to avoid being caught by the British (some of whom were actually having dinner at his mother’s home that evening).

If you wish to tour the church there is no admission fee, although a small donation is requested. Inside are a few items of potential interest, including a bust of George Washington which is located along the left wall while facing the altar. Supposedly this was the first such memorial to our nation’s 1st president. Perhaps more intriguing is on the right side you can actually view the window through which Robert Newman escaped the British. The window had been boarded up for many years, but was rediscovered via restoration efforts in 1989. A symbolic lantern (coined the Third Lantern) hangs near it. This lantern was presented as a gift from President Ford on April 18, 1975. There is a plaque in one of the exterior gardens which provides more information on this if you are interested.

• Website: www.oldnorth.com
• Address: 193 Salem Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: No admission fee, however, a small donation is requested.

MAP Info Old North Church Boston Attractions

Street History of North End in Boston

Street History of North End in Boston - Ever find yourself walking a neighborhood, perhaps for the first time or perhaps for the hundredth time, and wondering, “How did this street get its name?” or “”What are the origins of this street?”

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You Might Read This: Boston’s North End History

1. Endicott Street – This street was named on June 13, 1836 for Governor Endicott whom was the Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colonies 1629-1665. It is also the site of the worst spelled intersection ever.
2. Fulton Street – It’s in an area just off of Fulton Street whereby many of the early Italians who came to Boston first settled upon their arrival in the 1860s. Many of the buildings around here pre-date the Italian arrival by about thirty years, placing them construction sometime around the 1830s. Fulton Street contains Boston’s first cast iron building.
3. Hanover Street – Hanover is known as the center of commercial activity in the North End, especially for restaurants. It is said that each restaurant brings with it the local cuisine of a particular area of Italy. It other words you can pick almost any one of them and not go wrong. The street was named in Colonial times in honor of King George the Third’s House of Hanover. The House of Hanover provided six monarchs to the British crown and was followed by the House of Windsor (familiar to most via Princess Diana).
4. North Street – North Street was formerly known as “Ann Street.” It had a rather poor reputation based upon the substantial number of ladies of the evening and criminal activity. It even spurred nicknames such as “The Murder District.” A large effort to cleanup the area was eventually successful. In 1851, police arrested 92 women charged with prostitution. In a final attempt to cleanup the area in 1854, the city even changed the name of the street to a simple name without negative connotations, North Street. This street is home to the oldest sign in the city.
5. Parmenter Street – In 1708 this street was the toast of the town, quite literally as in May of this year it had been named Beer Lane. When the hangover from that decision had finally subsided, the locals took a number of more attempts at trying to find the right name over the ensuing years. Other names included Bear and Bur Lane, Bridge’s Lane and Richmond Street. The street finally took on its present name on December 31, 1870. Parmenter has a unique library that is worth checking out.
6. Parmenter Street / Hanover Street Intersection – O.k., while not a lesson on street names, the street sign at this intersection is a fantastic photo opportunity to subtly remind people in the area that they are in fact in the Little Italy of Boston. Situated atop the sign are the names of various Italian cities and the direction (supposedly) to reach them. While the geography may leave something desired, it does not stop countless tourists from taking in the directions.

 INFO

• Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_End,_Boston
• Address: Various Streets (See above), Boston, MA
• Cost: Free

Interesting Performances at Parkman Bandstand Boston Common

Parkman Bandstand is a white-domed bandstand situated within the Boston Common. It is located on the approximate site of what was formerly known as Cow Pond before it was filled in 1838. The name Cow pond is no mere coincidence as this area was a popular grazing ground for cattle for over two centuries. It was estimated to have begun in the 1630s and then was finally banned by Bostonian mayor, Harrison Gray Otis in 1830 because, well, it is just gross to have manure in one of your city parks and many families had begun to complain as such.

 Parkman Bandstand

Today, of course, the park is much better maintained and offers such features as the Parkman Bandstand. The Parkman Bandstand was built in 1912 in dedication of George Parkman. George Parkman, a prominent doctor, had been the victim to one of the most notorious murders in Boston history just four years prior (a scandalous crime which we analyze in much more depth in our West End and Crimes-Haunts tours). At the time of his passing, he bequeathed the sum of $5 million for the preservation of parks such as the Boston Common. Part of those funds were used to erect this monument which in 2007 was the site of the Presidential Primary rally where Barack Obama spoke and from where the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company performs free Shakespeare plays during the summer months.

If you are interested in attending one of these performances they do fill up quickly and you will probably want to arrive two to three hours before the performance. The twenty performances of the Taming of the Shrew in 2006 drew approximately 100,000 people. So grab your picnic basket and blankets (both are welcome), and check the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company website for dates, times, and locations.  I only mention the latter as some recent performances have occurred at a potential secondary location on the Common near Charles Street and Beacon Street—the Carty Parade Ground.

• Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkman_Bandstand
• Address: Boston Common, Boston, MA. Near the intersection of Boylston Street and Charles Street.
• Cost: Free

The Historic Site in Boston - Ally McBeal Building

The Congregational Library and Archives are administered here. What is that you say? It is a library of religious and New England history that includes a ledger detailing Benjamin Franklin’s baptism. The library is a not for profit organization that originated in 1853 “”for the purpose of establishing and perpetuating a library of religious history and literature of New England, and for the erection of a suitable building for the accommodation of the same, and for the use of charitable societies.” It began with an initial donation of 56 books and has since expanded to some 225,000 volumes.

Beacon Street

This building in which the library is situated dates back to 1898 and contains four bas-relief sculptures on its front façade by Spanish artist Domingo Mora that depict significant events in Boston history. If you inspect the four bas-reliefs from left to right, the events are:

• John Eliot (“The Indian Apostle”), a Puritan missionary, preaching to the Indians
• The founding of Harvard College
• A celebration of the 1st Sabbath on Clark’s Island. This is where the Pilgrims actually landed before Plymouth Rock.
• The signing of the Mayflower Compact. This was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony.

The building is more popularly known as the former offices of Ally McBeal, the FOX television series which ran from 1997 to 2002. The 7th floor offices of Cage & Fish have maintained a legal presence in that they now house the National Lesbian & Gay Law Association.

INFO

• Website: http://www.congregationallibrary.org/home
• Address: 14 Beacon Street, Boston, MA
• Cost: Free