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).
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Angell Memorial Fountain
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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).
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| 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).
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| 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
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