 |
| Beacon Street Mall |
Out
of the original five malls that enhanced the beauty of the Common, the
Beacon Street Mall is the best preserved. It still has the original fence and
flanking rows of trees, reminiscent of the nineteenth-century Common.
 |
| Blaxton’s Memorial Tablet |
Created in 1913 by R. Clipson Stugis. The tablet, with words taken from a 1684 speech about the founding of the Common in 1634. The testimony was given by four elderly men who were among the first Boston inhabitants. “For generations, this testimony has been cited as evidence that the lawful owners of the Common are the people of Boston.”[1]
 |
Boston Massacre Memorial
A bronze figure that represents Revolution breaking the chains of Tyranny. Designed by Robert Kraus in 1888, the bas relief depicts the events, which occurred in front of the Old State House on March 5, 1770.
A bronze figure that represents Revolution breaking the chains of Tyranny. Designed by Robert Kraus in 1888, the bas relief depicts the events, which occurred in front of the Old State House on March 5, 1770.
 |
Brewer Fountain
Built in 1868 by Paul Liénard with statues by Mathurin Moreau. The fountain debuted at the Paris Exposition in 1868 and Gardner Brewer, a Boston merchant, liked it so much that he brought it to Boston. The fountain features Poseidon and Amphitrite, Acis and Galatea as reclining figures at the base.
Built in 1868 by Paul Liénard with statues by Mathurin Moreau. The fountain debuted at the Paris Exposition in 1868 and Gardner Brewer, a Boston merchant, liked it so much that he brought it to Boston. The fountain features Poseidon and Amphitrite, Acis and Galatea as reclining figures at the base.
Carty Parade Ground Tablet
The Carty Tablet is a bronze memorial plaque located on the remnants of the original training field of
the Colonial Militia – a British camp where thousands of soldiers were quartered. It has been the site of military displays and public celebrations for three centuries. The area was marked in 1852 and named in 1963 after Thomas J. Carty (1904-1962) who was a Captain of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. Carty was also an Associate Commissioner of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.[2] Located along the northwest corner of the Boston Common parallel to Charles Street.
Cenotaph
At the corner of Tremont and Boylston streets, lies a palette-shaped cenotaph
to honor painter Gilbert Stuart who is buried in one of the unmarked graves at
the Central Burying Ground.[3] |
| Central Burying Ground |
Central Burying Ground
or Old South Burial Ground
First used in 1756 it did not become part of The Boston Common until 1839.
 |
| Central Burying Ground |
The Rhode Island portraitist Gilbert Stuart (1755-1828) as well as the composer William Billings (1746-1800), who died at the age 53, are buried at the Central Burying Ground. Since both men died in poverty they are lying in unmarked graves.
 |
| Charles Street Gate |
Charles Street Gate
Built in 1836, the gate is the survivor of the need for iron during World War II. The Common had five gates to mark the main entrances interconnected by a decorative iron fence. The last remnants of the fence can be seen along the Beacon Street boundary.
 |
| Commodore John Barry Monument |
Commodore John Barry Monument
By the same artist as the Lafayette Monument, John F. Paramino. The monument, as its name reads, was created to honor Commodore John Barry, who was known as the Father of the American Navy.
 |
| Declaration of Independence Plaque |
Declaration
of Independence Plaque
A bas relief created in 1925, the second of four works that John F. Paramino created for The Boston Common. Created after a mural by John Trumbull, which is located in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
A bas relief created in 1925, the second of four works that John F. Paramino created for The Boston Common. Created after a mural by John Trumbull, which is located in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
 |
| Edward A. Filene Plaque |
Edward A. Filene Plaque
Edward was born in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1860 and died in Paris, France, in 1937. He was an American businessman, social entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, scholar, and considered an “outstanding citizen of Boston and public benefactor.” Edward Albert Filene is acknowledged as the founder of the Credit Union movement in the United States. The Credit Union National Association erected a tablet in his honor on May 1959. He is also known for building the Filene's department store.
Edward was born in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1860 and died in Paris, France, in 1937. He was an American businessman, social entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, scholar, and considered an “outstanding citizen of Boston and public benefactor.” Edward Albert Filene is acknowledged as the founder of the Credit Union movement in the United States. The Credit Union National Association erected a tablet in his honor on May 1959. He is also known for building the Filene's department store.
Erected in 1837, The Flagstaff was 37 feet high pole fashioned from a single tree. It lived in the Common for a hundred and fifty years giving its name to Flagstaff Hill. The hill, previously known as Powder House Hill, because a powder house and British entrenchments where atop the hill. Eventually, in 1866, the pole was moved. The area used to be known as the Smokers Circle, the place where tobacco smoking gentlemen gathered when it was prohibited elsewhere on the Common.[4]
 |
| Founders Memorial |
Founders
Memorial
The third of John F. Paramino works at the Common, created in 1930, with a frame by Charles A. Coolidge. The bas relief was to commemorates the 300th anniversary of Boston’s founding.
The third of John F. Paramino works at the Common, created in 1930, with a frame by Charles A. Coolidge. The bas relief was to commemorates the 300th anniversary of Boston’s founding.
 |
| Fox Hill Plaque |
Fox Hill Plaque
The plaque is attached to the southern pillar of the gate to Charles Street, in front of the Public Garden gate by Haffenreffer Walk. The plaque marks what used to be the most prominent feature of the early Common. Fox Hill projected itself westward into the bay and it was almost an island at high tide. During the occupation of Boston, 1775-1776, Fox Hill was fortified.[5]
 |
| Visitor Information Center |
Freedom
Trail Visitor Information Center
The Information Center is managed by The Freedom Trail Foundation and offers historical tours with 18th century costumed guides. The Center offers a 90 minute tour designed for individuals, groups, for corporate team building, and schools. The Freedom Trail Foundation offers daily public tours throughout the year. Tickets can be purchased on line or at the Visitor Information Center.[6]
The Information Center is managed by The Freedom Trail Foundation and offers historical tours with 18th century costumed guides. The Center offers a 90 minute tour designed for individuals, groups, for corporate team building, and schools. The Freedom Trail Foundation offers daily public tours throughout the year. Tickets can be purchased on line or at the Visitor Information Center.[6]
Reshaped
and curbed from its original form in 1826 is the only of the three ponds found
in the early Common to survive today.
 |
| Guild Steps |
Guild
Steps
Decorated in 1917 in honor of the three times governor of Massachusetts and ambassador to Russia, Curtis Guild (1860-1915). In 1978 the decorative iron railing was restored.
Decorated in 1917 in honor of the three times governor of Massachusetts and ambassador to Russia, Curtis Guild (1860-1915). In 1978 the decorative iron railing was restored.
GreatElm Site
The Great Elm was a giant elm used for hangings in seventeenth century. In 1876 the elm was destroyed during a storm.
 |
| Lafayette
Monument |
Lafayette
Monument
Built in 1924 by John F. Paramino to commemorate the centenary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to the Common. In 1824, a public banquet under a canopy was given in his honor and children singing La Marseillaise came to celebrate Lafayette’s visit. Before the subway construction in 1897 destroyed it, there was a tree line mall along Treemont and which was originally named after the street and, upon the centenary of his visit, was renamed in honor of the Marquis, Lafayette Mall.
Built in 1924 by John F. Paramino to commemorate the centenary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to the Common. In 1824, a public banquet under a canopy was given in his honor and children singing La Marseillaise came to celebrate Lafayette’s visit. Before the subway construction in 1897 destroyed it, there was a tree line mall along Treemont and which was originally named after the street and, upon the centenary of his visit, was renamed in honor of the Marquis, Lafayette Mall.
Liberty Mall
Originally built in 1826 and named the Park Street Mall, it was renamed to Liberty Mall on October 27, 1917. The renaming of the mall was to honor “our Soldiers and Sailors in the Great War.”[7] The mall begins at the corner of Park and Tremont Streets, Brewer Fountain is at the base of Liberty Mall.
MacArthur Mall
Originally known as the Charles Street Mall, it was parallel to the colonial shoreline in the olden times. In 1824 it was renamed MacArthur Mall in honor of General Douglas MacArthur.
 |
| Oliver Wendell Holmes Path |
OliverWendell Holmes Path
Originally known as the Long Path, it was made famous by Wendell’s Autocrat of the Breakfast Table. Now known as the Holmes Path in honor of the writer.
Originally known as the Long Path, it was made famous by Wendell’s Autocrat of the Breakfast Table. Now known as the Holmes Path in honor of the writer.
OneidaFootball Plaque
Designed
by I. Howland Jones, a bas relief by Joseph Coletti erected in 1925 by members
of the Oneida Football Club (1862-1865).
 |
| Papal Mass Plaque |
Papal
Mass Plaque
Designed to commemorate the visit of John Paul II in 1979, a day, in which, despite the intense rain, 400,000 crowded the Common to hear the papal mass. F.P. Davis Monumental Works was commissioned the plaque’s creation.
Designed to commemorate the visit of John Paul II in 1979, a day, in which, despite the intense rain, 400,000 crowded the Common to hear the papal mass. F.P. Davis Monumental Works was commissioned the plaque’s creation.
 |
| Parkman Bandstand |
Parkman
Bandstand
Built by Derby, Robinson, & Shepard to commemorate George F. Parkman.
Built by Derby, Robinson, & Shepard to commemorate George F. Parkman.
 |
| Parkman Plaza |
Parkman
Plaza
Designed in 1960 by Schurcliffe & Merrill. With statues by Arcangelo Cascieri and Adio DiBaccari.
Designed in 1960 by Schurcliffe & Merrill. With statues by Arcangelo Cascieri and Adio DiBaccari.
 |
| Parkway Street Subway |
Parkway
Street Subway
The 1897 entrance to the oldest subway line in the United States.
The 1897 entrance to the oldest subway line in the United States.
 |
| Robert F. Cusick Field |
Robert
F. Cusick Field
The field was dedicated on September 12, 1976 to Robert F. Cusick also known as Mr. Baseball Bob Cusick. Cusick was an exemplary employee of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department from 1930 until 1974 and Director of Recreation from 1967 until 1974.
The field was dedicated on September 12, 1976 to Robert F. Cusick also known as Mr. Baseball Bob Cusick. Cusick was an exemplary employee of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department from 1930 until 1974 and Director of Recreation from 1967 until 1974.
 |
| Shaw and Fifty-fourth Regiment Memorial |
Shaw
and Fifty-fourth Regiment Memorial
A relief in bronze by Augustus Saint-Gaudens with a granite frame and terrace by Charles F. McKim, to commemorate the first black regiment to serve in the Civil War. The relief lies majestically between two elms, facing the State House. It honors the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts as half of the regiment, along with its Colonel Robert Shaw, perished leading an assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina. A black butler retired from service in the Shaw household funded the memorial. The film Glory from 1989 is based on the regiment’s story.
A relief in bronze by Augustus Saint-Gaudens with a granite frame and terrace by Charles F. McKim, to commemorate the first black regiment to serve in the Civil War. The relief lies majestically between two elms, facing the State House. It honors the 54th Regiment of Massachusetts as half of the regiment, along with its Colonel Robert Shaw, perished leading an assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina. A black butler retired from service in the Shaw household funded the memorial. The film Glory from 1989 is based on the regiment’s story.
 |
| Royal Navy Plaque |
Royal
Navy Plaque
It was built in 1945 in honor of the Royal Navy. The plaque is located opposite the Fox Hill Plaque, on the northern pillar of the gate to Charles Street, in front of the Public Garden gate by Haffenreffer Walk.
It was built in 1945 in honor of the Royal Navy. The plaque is located opposite the Fox Hill Plaque, on the northern pillar of the gate to Charles Street, in front of the Public Garden gate by Haffenreffer Walk.
 |
| The Soldiers and Sailors Monument |
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument
A Civil War memorial built in 1877 by Martin Milmore, whose figures personify history and peace, rising like a vision from the hilltop. The monument sits on top of Flagstaff Hill (formerly Powder House) the site of a British fortification during the Revolution.
[1] The Boston Common
Brochure
[2]
http://www.publicartboston.com/content/carty-parade-ground-tablet
[3]
http://downeastdilettante.wordpress.com/category/gilbert-stuart/
[4] The Boston Common
Brochure
[5] The Boston Common
Brochure
[6]
http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/book-tour/
[7] The Boston Common
Brochure
Comments
Post a Comment