Everything Dorchester is known for
Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near Dorchester.
The Union Oyster House in Boston has been serving seafood since 1826, making it the oldest continuously operating restaurant in America. Daniel Webster used to drink a tall tumbler of brandy and water with each half-dozen oysters — and he'd eat several dozen. JFK's favorite booth on the second floor is marked with a plaque. The raw bar downstairs hasn't changed in nearly 200 years.
Mike's Pastry has anchored Boston's North End on Hanover Street since 1946. The cannoli — hand-filled to order so the shell stays crisp — sparked an ongoing rivalry with Modern Pastry across the street. The white box tied with string has become a symbol of Boston's Italian-American neighborhood. Tourists and locals alike argue about which side of the street has the better cannoli.
Salem carries the heaviest name in early American history: the 1692 witch trials. Here's the honest version, because the legend gets it wrong: about twenty people were executed, but none were burned at the stake. Nineteen were hanged, and one stubborn man, Giles Corey, was pressed to death under stones for refusing to enter a plea. The town that prosecuted those trials later produced the writer who wrestled with that guilt: Nathaniel Hawthorne, born in Salem in 1804, author of 'The Scarlet Letter' and 'The House of the Seven Gables' (the latter inspired by a real gabled mansion still standing here). Salem leaned into its dark fame and became one of America's great Halloween destinations, packing its streets every October. And quietly anchoring it all is the Peabody Essex Museum, rooted in a sea captains' society from 1799, often called the oldest continuously operating museum in the country.
Opened April 20, 1912, Fenway Park is the oldest active Major League Baseball stadium in the United States.
On December 16, 1773, colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped 342 chests of East India Company tea into Boston Harbor.
The modest Brookline house where John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917, restored by his mother Rose Kennedy in 1966.
The Provident Institution for Savings (est.1816) in Boston, Massachusetts, was the first chartered savings bank in the United States. James Savage and others founded the bank on the belief that "savi
The Boston Museum (1841–1903), also called the Boston Museum and Gallery of Fine Arts, was a theatre, wax museum, natural history museum, zoo, and art museum in 19th-century Boston, Massachusetts. Mos
The Columbian Museum was a museum and performance space in Boston, Massachusetts, established by Daniel Bowen, and continued by William M. S. Doyle. The museum operated during 1795–1825 featuring artw
America's oldest baseball park since 1912. The Green Monster looms over left field.
America's oldest continuously operating restaurant since 1826. JFK's favorite booth is marked with a plaque. Boston landmark.
Boston's North End cannoli wars ground zero since 1946. The line out the door is part of the experience. Cash only.
The 1692 witch trials brought to life. 20 people executed for witchcraft in this town.
464 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the nearest 200 are listed here — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.
This Classical Revival building wasn't always here, but the need it fulfilled was deeply felt. In 1911, the Home for Destitute Jewish Children opened its doors. Local Jewish congregations, through the Ladies Helping…
Founded in 1895, this pottery works produced utilitarian stoneware for over 80 years. George Henderson established the Dorchester Pottery Works right here, making everything from jugs and jars to flowerpots and bean…
Imagine living in a house for ten generations! That's the story of the Pierce House, right here in Dorchester. Built around 1683, the Pierce House was home to the Pierce family for over three centuries. They weren't…
More than just a cemetery, Forest Hills is a 275-acre greenspace, arboretum, and outdoor museum. It was founded in 1848 as a public cemetery for the town of Roxbury. When the city of Roxbury was annexed to Boston in…
Imagine a place dedicated to celebrating Black visual artists from all over the world – that's Abbotsford. Now home to the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, this house is more than just bricks and…
Imagine witnessing Boston's history unfold, brick by brick. This very spot is home to the James Blake House, the oldest surviving house in the entire city! Built around 1661, the house was home to James Blake, a…
This quiet corner of Mattapan was once a bustling center in the fight against a deadly disease: tuberculosis. In 1908, the Boston Consumptives Hospital, later known as the Boston Sanatorium, opened its doors. It was a…
Pull over for a second; this spot whispers tales of royal governors and revolutionary whispers! This is the Shirley-Eustis House, built between 1747 and 1751 for William Shirley, the Royal Governor of the Province of…
Right here, near 125 Highland Street, you're in the heart of abolitionist history. This is where William Lloyd Garrison, one of the most influential voices against slavery, called home. Garrison lived in this house,…
Pull over here for a fascinating glimpse into the life of a 19th-century sea captain who helped shape American trade with China. Captain Robert Bennet Forbes, a prominent Boston merchant, built this house in 1833. He…
Believe it or not, you're approaching a surprisingly beautiful piece of Boston history: a sewage pumping station! This wasn't just any utilitarian building; it was a key part of Boston's efforts to improve public…
Did you know that this building houses America's oldest community theater? This is Eliot Hall, home to The Footlight Club since 1889. Originally constructed in 1832, this Greek Revival/Italianate building faced…
Imagine standing where the very first settlers of Roxbury laid their loved ones to rest. This is Eliot Burying Ground, established in 1630, making it the oldest cemetery in Roxbury. Many of Roxbury's earliest residents…
Right here is where a true pioneer changed how we live: Ellen Swallow Richards, the first woman chemist in America, lived and worked in this house. After graduating from MIT in 1873, Richards married Robert Hallowell…
Ever seen a twelve-sided house? Right here at 17 Cranston Street in Jamaica Plain stands a truly unique building. Built around 1874, this home was the vision of two Scottish immigrants who wanted something special. They…
Imagine the regattas and social life that once thrived in these historic boat clubhouses on Boston's waterfront. These buildings are part of the South Boston Boat Clubs Historic District. Between 1898 and the early 20th…
Imagine a living museum, right here in Boston, with plants from all over the world. That's the Arnold Arboretum. Established in 1872, the Arboretum is the oldest public arboretum in North America. Harvard University…
Ever wonder what secrets are hiding in plain sight? Right here in Mission Hill, these brick buildings whisper tales of a once-thriving brewery. Back in 1892, the Highland Spring Brewery built this bottling and storage…
This beautiful neighborhood once housed a retreat with a hidden purpose: treating the 'nervous' and 'debilitated.' In 1877, the Adams-Nervine Asylum was established, opening its doors in 1880. Seth Adams, who made his…
This well-preserved Craftsman bungalow offers a glimpse into modest early 1900s living. Built in 1918, this is the Russell M. Dicey House. It's a one-and-a-half story wood-frame house, showcasing the Craftsman bungalow…
You're standing on a place that echoes with the voices of the past, the namesake of a tribe and a state. This is Moswetuset Hummock. For centuries, this wooded hill was a gathering place for the Moswetuset, later known…
Ever wonder where Boston's Catholic history began? You're just moments away from Saint Augustine Chapel and Cemetery, the oldest Catholic church building and cemetery in Massachusetts.It all started back in 1818, when…
Imagine Boston under siege, British warships looming in the harbor. This unassuming hill was the key to breaking that stranglehold. In 1776, George Washington and his Continental Army faced a seemingly impossible task:…
Ever wonder what apartment living was like in Boston during the Roaring Twenties? This building, the Riviera, gives you a glimpse. Built in 1923, the Riviera was the brainchild of developers Coleman & Gilbert and…
Pull over for a second and listen to this: you're near one of the best concert halls *in the world*! Back in the late 1800s, the Boston Symphony Orchestra needed a new home. Henry Lee Higginson, the BSO's founder, hired…
Get ready to step back in time and into the world of early motoring! This very spot is home to the oldest collection of motorcars in the United States. Larz and Isabel Anderson, wealthy socialites, built their grand…
Ever wonder what secrets are hidden beneath the pavement? This spot, once home to the Boston Psychopathic Hospital, holds a fascinating, and perhaps unsettling, history. Established in 1912, the Boston Psychopathic…
Ever wonder what early apartment living looked like? You're passing one of the very first examples of a duplex apartment house, the Hotel Adelaide. Built in 1875, the Hotel Adelaide was designed with unique two-story…
Ever wonder about the history of mental health treatment? This spot offers a glimpse. Founded in 1912 as the Boston Psychopathic Hospital, this complex aimed to provide cutting-edge psychiatric care. The original main…
Ever wonder what it was like to be a Gilded Age millionaire? Larz Anderson Park offers a glimpse into that world. Larz and Isabel Anderson, a wealthy couple with a passion for travel and collecting, purchased the land…
Ever wonder what it would be like to step back in time and see how people lived centuries ago? Right here in Brookline's Green Hill Historic District, you can get a glimpse of exactly that. From the mid-1700s onward,…
Think of Central Park, or Boston's Emerald Necklace – you're about to learn about the visionary behind them. This is Fairsted, the home and office of Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture.…
Pull over, history buff! You're about to step into the world of a founding father, right here in Quincy. This isn't just any old house; it's where one of America's most influential families began its legacy. This…
Pull over for a minute; we're passing a place that has been safeguarding American history since before the White House was even painted white! The Massachusetts Historical Society, founded in 1791, is the oldest…
Get ready to crane your neck, because you're about to see what's known as the "tiniest house in Boston"! Built around 1830 by a man named Benjamin Bosworth, this little brick building at 1 Bay Street is a true oddity.…
Imagine the roar of the crowd echoing for over a century – you're near Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox since 1912. Built in 1912, and substantially rebuilt in 1934, Fenway has witnessed countless historic…
Opened April 20, 1912, Fenway Park is the oldest active Major League Baseball stadium in the United States.
Before you is Fenway Studios, a Boston landmark born from the ashes of artistic tragedy. In 1904, a devastating fire at Harcourt Studios left many artists homeless and without their life's work. But Boston's civic…
Think of this spot as the home of a taste of old New England, specifically a really, really old New England. For over two centuries, this was the G. H. Bent Company, famous for their "cold water crackers". G. H. Bent…
Imagine ordering everything from buggy whips to bungalows from a single catalog. That's what Sears, Roebuck, and Company offered, and this massive building, now known as the Landmark Center, was their Boston…
Ever imagine a whole neighborhood built on what used to be a bay? That's Back Bay! In the mid-1800s, Boston needed more space. So, they decided to fill in the tidal flats of the Charles River. Construction started…
Originally opened as the Metropolitan Theatre in 1925, this venue has hosted countless legendary performers. Designed by Clarence Blackall, the Metropolitan Theatre opened its doors on Tremont Street, quickly becoming a…
Pull over for a second – you’re about to see where immense wealth and artistic vision collided in Boston's Back Bay. This is the Frederick Ayer Mansion. Frederick Ayer, who made his fortune as the owner of the American…
This charming cottage isn't just pretty; it's a rare survivor from a fascinating time in American architecture. Built around 1850, the Candler Cottage is a notable example of Gothic Revival style in Brookline. We don't…
Pull over here for a peek into Brookline's past – we're looking at one of the few houses left from the 1700s! The Isaac Child House, standing right there at 209 Newton Street, has records going back to the 1790s. Isaac…
Imagine the mid-19th century here, where a prominent local family built one of Brookline's finest homes. This is the Robert S. Davis House, built around 1859 for Robert S. Davis. Davis was a member of a well-known…
Feast your eyes on the best-preserved Queen Anne Victorian on Wollaston Hill, a true testament to the elegance of the 1890s! This house at 94 Grandview Avenue was likely built by Horace Briggs, a Boston businessman,…
Pull over and listen close, because this isn't just another theater, it's a time machine! The Wilbur Theatre has been entertaining Bostonians since 1914. Originally designed for legitimate plays, the Wilbur quickly…
Imagine raising a stein where generations of Bostonians celebrated their German heritage! Jacob Wirth Restaurant, established in 1868, was a Boston institution for over 150 years. Jacob Wirth himself founded the…
Hear the echoes of music history in this district once filled with piano showrooms and music publishers. This area, around the corner of Tremont and Boylston, became known as "Piano Row" in the late 1800s and early…
Step back in time to a gilded age of theater! This is the Cutler Majestic Theatre, once a glittering palace of entertainment. Built in 1903 by Eben Dyer Jordan, it was designed in the Beaux Arts style by architect John…
Founded in 1665, this spot marks the location of one of the oldest Baptist churches in the United States. Back then, being Baptist in Boston was a risky proposition. This congregation first met in secret, holding…
Ever wonder why this area is called the Leather District? It's a clue to Boston's industrial past. In the late 1800s, this area became the hub of Boston's booming leather trade. Businesses flocked here, filling these…
Imagine Boston without this green space! This is the Public Garden, America's first public botanical garden. In the 1830s and 1840s, there was increasing public desire for a central garden. The area was originally salt…
South Station isn't just a train station; it's a portal to Boston's past. It's been a vital transportation hub for over a century. South Station officially opened on January 1, 1899, consolidating several smaller…
On December 16, 1773, colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped 342 chests of East India Company tea into Boston Harbor.
Did you know the oldest city park in the United States is right here in Boston? It's called Boston Common, and it's seen a lot of history. Back in 1775, right before the Revolutionary War really kicked off, the British…
Take center stage in Boston's vibrant Theater District, where countless stars have graced the stages of historic venues. The Theater District really took off in the late 1800s and early 1900s, with the construction of…
Ever wonder what it was like to live in Boston's Back Bay when it was brand new? The Gibson House Museum gives you a rare glimpse. Built in 1860, this rowhouse was home to three generations of the Gibson family. It…
Imagine a neighborhood shaped by the vision of one powerful man: Amos Adams Lawrence. This area, the Cottage Farm Historic District, owes its existence to Lawrence's ambition to create a desirable residential community…
Ever wonder where your seafood comes from? This spot, the Boston Fish Pier, has been a major hub for the industry since 1910! Back then, Boston’s fishing fleet was one of the biggest on the East Coast. By the 1920s,…
These three buildings stand as a testament to Boston's bustling late 19th-century commercial activity. They're called the Russia Wharf Buildings, built in 1897 on Atlantic Avenue and Congress Street. But this spot's…
Get ready to rumble, because you're about to learn about one of the first railroads in the US, built to haul granite for the Bunker Hill Monument. In the 1820s, after the Bunker Hill Monument Association ran into…
During the Cold War, this seemingly ordinary stretch of waterfront played a crucial, if often unseen, role in supporting the US Navy's operations. The South Boston Naval Annex, an extension of the Boston Navy Yard,…
Ever wonder why Boston's subway is… different? You're driving near the oldest subway tunnel in North America, the Tremont Street subway.Imagine Boston in the late 1890s. The streets were a chaotic mess of streetcars. To…
This grand building isn't just another pretty facade; it's a reminder of Boston's retail heyday and the innovative spirit of Filene's Department Store. Founded by Abraham Lincoln Filene and Edward Filene, the flagship…
Imagine living in a house that was a hub for intellectual life in 1800s Boston. That's the story of the William Hickling Prescott House, also known as Headquarters House. William Hickling Prescott, a prominent…
Picture Boston booming in the early 1900s! The R. H. Stearns Building, right here at 140 Tremont Street, is a perfect example. R. H. Stearns was a big name in department stores. His company had been around since before…
The modest Brookline house where John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917, restored by his mother Rose Kennedy in 1966.
Think of the weight of history that began in this unassuming house! This is where John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, was born. On 1917, John F. Kennedy was born at 83 Beals Street in…
Ever wonder where Boston got its news? Right here, near Washington and Milk Streets, was the heart of Newspaper Row. Back in the mid-1800s, this area became a hotbed for newspaper offices. Papers like the *Boston Globe*…
You're approaching Beacon Hill, which wasn't always known for its fancy row houses. Once, it was a literal beacon, a signal point for the city. In colonial times, a tall beacon stood on the highest of the hill's three…
Right here, at the Old South Meeting House, is where the fuse was lit for the American Revolution. On December 16 1773, thousands of colonists crammed into this very building. They were debating what to do about the…
Imagine rubbing elbows with literary giants like Emerson and Hawthorne – right here at this very corner! Built in 1718, this building started as a home and apothecary, but it truly blossomed when it became a bookstore…
This unassuming house was a safe haven for freedom seekers, right here in Boston. William C. Nell, a prominent abolitionist, lived in this boarding house at 3 Smith Court in Beacon Hill. It was directly opposite the…
Imagine the walls of this house echoing with the fervent verses of a song that would rally a nation. This is the Samuel Gridley and Julia Ward Howe House, where Julia Ward Howe penned the lyrics to “The Battle Hymn of…
Pull over for a sec and check out this fire station – it's way cooler than it looks at first glance! Back in 1898, Brookline needed a new firehouse for the growing Washington Square area. They didn't just want a…
Picture this: you could be walking into one of the oldest membership libraries in the US, a place where knowledge has been cherished since before the Civil War. The Boston Athenæum was founded in 1807 by a group called…
Imagine the weight of a new nation resting on the shoulders of a single building. That's the Massachusetts State House. Designed by Charles Bulfinch, construction finished in 1798. This building became the seat of the…
Check out that building! It's one of Boston's *earliest* skyscrapers. It's the Winthrop Building, completed in 1894. Designed by Clarence Blackall, this nine-story building was originally called the Carter Building. It…
Imagine the weight of a nation resting on your shoulders, right here at Peacefield. This unassuming house was home to two U.S. Presidents and a crucible for American ideals. John Adams, a key figure in the American…
Imagine walking where presidents once walked, debated, and dreamed. Adams National Historical Park preserves the legacy of five generations of the Adams family, from 1720 to 1927. John Adams, the second U.S. president,…
Right here, in Quincy, you're near the birthplace of American iron production. This unassuming spot marks the site of the first successful iron blast furnace in the colonies. It was a big deal! John Winthrop Jr., son of…
Boston’s story is etched in stone, quite literally. The land beneath its brick sidewalks and bustling streets is largely Cambridge Argillite, a dark, ancient bedrock laid down in Precambrian times. This hard,…
Ever wonder what it takes to sail the high seas? Here's your chance to learn from a legend! The Roseway, a stunning wooden schooner, has a story as deep as the ocean itself. Launched in 1925 in Essex, Massachusetts,…
Right here, at the Old State House, tensions between colonists and British soldiers reached a boiling point. On March 5th, 1770, a confrontation erupted between a group of colonists and British soldiers. What began as…
Imagine being a Puritan in the 1680s and suddenly, right here, the first Anglican church in Boston pops up! King's Chapel was established in 1686. It was originally Anglican, reflecting the Church of England. By 1785,…
This granite fort has defended Boston Harbor for centuries, witnessing countless maritime events. For nearly 400 years, a fort has stood on this very spot, Castle Island. The first, a simple earthwork called “The…
Now known as the John Adams Courthouse, this building has served as the seat of justice for Suffolk County. Built in 1893, the Suffolk County Courthouse was designed by Boston's first city architect, George Clough. It…
The Provident Institution for Savings (est.1816) in Boston, Massachusetts, was the first chartered savings bank in the United States. James Savage and others founded the bank on the belief that "savi
The Boston Museum (1841–1903), also called the Boston Museum and Gallery of Fine Arts, was a theatre, wax museum, natural history museum, zoo, and art museum in 19th-century Boston, Massachusetts. Mos
The Columbian Museum was a museum and performance space in Boston, Massachusetts, established by Daniel Bowen, and continued by William M. S. Doyle. The museum operated during 1795–1825 featuring artw
Young's Hotel (1860–1927) in Boston, Massachusetts, was located on Court Street in the Financial District, in a building designed by William Washburn. George Young established the business, later take
The Boston Gaol (1635–1822) was a jail in the center of Boston, Massachusetts, located off Court Street, in the block bounded by School, Washington and Tremont Streets. It was rebuilt several times on
The Howard Athenæum (1845–1953), also known as Old Howard Theatre, in Boston, Massachusetts, was one of the most famous theaters in Boston history. Founded in 1845, it remained an institution of cultu
The Ames Building is located in Boston, Massachusetts. It is sometimes ranked as the tallest building in Boston from its completion in 1889 until 1915, when the Custom House Tower was built, but the s
Suffolk County ( SUF-ək) is located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 797,936, making it the fourth-most populous county in Massachu
Court Street (est. July 4, 1788) is located in the Financial District of Boston, Massachusetts. Prior to 1788, it was called Prison Lane (1634–1708) and then Queen Street (1708–1788). In the 19th cent
One Boston Place, also known as the Boston Company Building, is a 41-story office tower located in the Financial District of Boston, Massachusetts. With a height of 601 feet (183 meters), One Boston P
State station (also called State Street) is an underground Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) rapid transit station located in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It is the transfer point
William Pembroke Fetridge (1827-1896) was a travel writer, publisher, bookseller and periodicals distributor. He lived in the Boston, Massachusetts area and in Paris, France.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Although the claim is disputed by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the SJC claims the distin
Step into the heart of the American Revolution, right here in Boston! This National Historical Park isn't just one place, but a collection of crucial sites scattered around the city, each a piece of the puzzle that led…
Imagine a hidden hub of activism and community, right here in Beacon Hill. This wasn't just a neighborhood; it was the heart of Boston's 19th-century African American community, a place where resilience and hope thrived…
Known as the "Cradle of Liberty," Faneuil Hall hosted fiery speeches that fueled the American Revolution. Opened in 1742, the building, designed by John Smibert, served as both a marketplace and a meeting hall. It…
Built in 1742 as a marketplace and meeting hall, Faneuil Hall hosted the speeches that built the case for American independence.
Imagine ships from around the globe once lined this harbor, their cargo fueling Boston's booming economy. This spot, now home to the Custom House, was at the heart of it all. The original Custom House, handling import…
Step back in time to a marketplace that has fueled Boston's spirit for nearly two centuries. Quincy Market, a bustling hub of commerce and community, opened its doors in 1826, designed by architect Alexander Parris to…
Step back in time to the home of a man who was nearly beaten to death for his beliefs. This is the Charles Sumner House, where the passionate anti-slavery senator lived for nearly four decades. Charles Sumner was a…
Pull over here for a second – this unassuming house holds a secret: it was once home to Dorothy Quincy, wife of John Hancock, the guy whose signature is HUGE on the Declaration of Independence. Dorothy grew up here in…
Right here, where modern government offices stand, you're looking at survivors from a Boston that's almost vanished. These are Sears' Crescent and Sears' Block. Sears' Crescent was initially built around 1816 as a set…
Imagine being one of the very first settlers in this part of Boston. This is where they rest. The Westerly Burial Ground, dating back to 1683, served as the final resting place for the pioneers of West Roxbury. It was…
Prepare to crane your neck! This spot marks the unlikely marriage of classical architecture and early skyscraper technology. The original Custom House, a stately Greek Revival building, was completed here between 1837…
The Quincy House was a hotel in downtown Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Located on the corner of Brattle Street and Brattle Square in the neighborhood of Scollay Square, it was in operation for
City Hall Plaza in Boston, Massachusetts, is a large, open, public space in the Government Center area of the city. The architectural firm Kallmann McKinnell & Knowles designed the plaza in 1962 to ac
The Crawford House was a hotel and restaurant in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Located on Court and Brattle Streets in Scollay Square, it was in operation during the late nineteenth and early twenti
Government Center is an area in downtown Boston, centered on City Hall Plaza. Formerly the site of Scollay Square, it is now the location of Boston City Hall, courthouses, state and federal office bui
The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), formerly the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), is a Massachusetts public agency that serves as the municipal planning and development agency for Bo
Boston City Hall is the seat of city government of Boston, Massachusetts. It includes the offices of the mayor of Boston and the Boston City Council. The current hall was built in 1968 to assume the f
Brattle Street, which existed from 1694 to 1962, was a street in Boston, Massachusetts, located on the current site of City Hall Plaza, at Government Center. The street ran the short distance from Sco
The Brattle Street Church (1698–1876) was a Congregational (1698 – c. 1805) and Unitarian (c. 1805–1876) church on Brattle Street in Boston, Massachusetts.
Scollay Square (c. 1838–1962) was a city square in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It was named for William Scollay, a prominent local developer and militia officer who bought a landmark four-story me
Government Center station is an MBTA subway station in Boston, Massachusetts. It is located at the intersection of Tremont, Court and Cambridge Streets in the Government Center area. It is a transfer
Boston is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It serves as the cultural and financial center of New England, a region of the Northeastern United States. Boston has a
A statue of former professional basketball player Bill Russell by Ann Hirsch is installed outside Boston's City Hall, in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. The bronze sculpture was unveiled in 2013, and
Cornhill was a street in Boston, Massachusetts, in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, located on the site of the current City Hall Plaza in Government Center. It was named in 1829; previously it was k
Doggett's Repository of Arts (c. 1821-1825) was an art gallery in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, located at 16 Market Street. Its proprietor, John Doggett, was a gilder and framer with a retail
Frost & Adams (est.1869) was an artists' supply firm in Boston, Massachusetts, located in Cornhill, on the current site of Boston City Hall and City Hall Plaza. It began in 1869 when artist Francis Se
Adams Square (1879–1963) was a square in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. Now demolished, it was formerly located on the site of the current Boston City Hall in Government Center.
The Concert Hall (1752–1869) was a performance and meeting space in Boston, Massachusetts, located at Hanover Street and Queen Street. Meetings, dinners, concerts, and other cultural events took place
Adams Square was an underground streetcar station located at Adams Square in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It opened in 1898 and was used until 1963.
The First Town-House in Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony, was located on the site of today's Old State House and served as Boston's first purpose-built town hall and colonial government seat. Robert K
28 State Street is a modern skyscraper in the Government Center neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Built in 1969, it is Boston's 22nd-tallest building, standing 500 feet (152 m) tal
Southworth & Hawes was an early photographic firm in Boston, 1843–1863. Its partners, Albert Sands Southworth (1811–1894) and Josiah Johnson Hawes (1808–1901), have been hailed as the first great Amer
Josiah Johnson Hawes (1808–1901) was a photographer in Boston, Massachusetts. He and Albert Southworth established the photography studio of Southworth & Hawes, which produced numerous portraits of ex
Tremont Row (1830s-1920s) in Boston, Massachusetts, was a short street that flourished in the 19th and early-20th centuries. It was located near the intersection of Court, Tremont, and Cambridge stree
Dock Square in downtown Boston, Massachusetts, is a public square adjacent to Faneuil Hall, bounded by Congress Street, North Street, and the steps of the 60 State Street office tower. Its name derive
The Old Feather Store (1680–1860) was a shop located at Dock Square and North Street (formerly Ann Street) in Boston, Massachusetts, in the 17th–19th centuries. It was also called the Old Cocked Hat.
A 10-foot (3.0 m) bronze statue of Kevin White by Pablo Eduardo is installed in Boston's Faneuil Hall, in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. The sculpture was installed in 2006.
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile-long (4.0 km) path through Boston that passes by 16 locations significant to the history of the United States. It winds from Boston Common in downtown Boston, to the Ol
The Union Oyster House in Boston has been serving seafood since 1826, making it the oldest continuously operating restaurant in America. Daniel Webster used to drink a tall tumbler of brandy and water with each…
Imagine a pier stretching half a mile into Boston Harbor in the 1700s - this is what remains of that once grand Long Wharf. Back then, between 1710 and 1721, it was built to connect Boston directly to the Atlantic trade…
Pull over for a taste of history! The Union Oyster House is more than just a restaurant; it's a time capsule.Opened in 1826, it's one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants in the US. Before becoming a…
The American House (established 1835) was a hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, located on Hanover Street. Abraham W. Brigham, Lewis Rice (1837–1874), Henry B. Rice (1868–1888), and Allen C. Jones (c. 192
Thermopylae is a 1966 bronze sculpture by Dimitri Hadzi, installed at Boston City Hall Plaza near the John F. Kennedy Federal Building, in Boston's Government Center, in the U.S. state of Massachuset
The "Cop slide" (or "Boston cop slide") is an internet meme and viral phenomenon caused by a video of a police officer tumbling down a children's slide in the playground of Boston City Hall Plaza in t
The Palace Theatre (ca.1891-1931) of Boston, Massachusetts, United States, was a variety theatre on Court Street in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Acts which performed there included Rose Hil
Two statues of James Michael Curley (sometimes called James Michael Curley, Jr.) are installed at the intersection of Congress and North streets, in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The bronze do
The New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston, Massachusetts, is dedicated to the Jewish people who were murdered by Nazi Germany during the Holocaust.
The Green Dragon Tavern was a public house located on Green Dragon Lane (today's Union Street) in Boston, Massachusetts. A popular meeting place for both the Freemasons and the Sons of Liberty, it was
The Blackstone Block Historic District encompasses what was once a waterfront business area in Boston, Massachusetts. Due to the infill of land it is now slightly inland from the waterfront. The distr
Imagine a world without surgical anesthesia. Here, in the Ether Dome, that world changed forever. On October 16, 1846, dentist William T.G. Morton administered ether to a patient named Edward Gilbert Abbott. Dr. John…
Ever wonder where future presidents and influential thinkers got their start? This might be one of those places. President John Adams, long before his time in the White House, envisioned a school right here in Quincy.…
This unassuming building was once a sugar-coated dream factory, churning out some of America's most iconic candies. For over a century, from 1927 until 2018, this Cambridge location was home to the New England…
Imagine being awake during surgery – that was the norm until a monumental event occurred right here! This is the Bulfinch Building at Massachusetts General Hospital, built between 1818 and 1823, designed by Charles…
Mike's Pastry has anchored Boston's North End on Hanover Street since 1946. The cannoli — hand-filled to order so the shell stays crisp — sparked an ongoing rivalry with Modern Pastry across the street. The white box…
This is the oldest remaining structure in downtown Boston, built around 1680. Paul Revere bought it in 1770 and lived here with his enormous family: he fathered sixteen children between two wives. On the night of April…
This is where the Fig Newton was invented! In 1891, the F. A. Kennedy Steam Bakery in Cambridge started baking a new kind of cookie. It was a fig paste filling encased in a soft cake-like dough. The cookie was named…
Could this unassuming house be the birthplace of American independence? The Suffolk Resolves House, right here in Milton, is rumored to be the site where a crucial document was drafted. On September 4th, 1774, delegates…
Step back in time right here, next to Paul Revere's house, and get a glimpse of colonial life! This is the Pierce-Hichborn House, one of the oldest brick buildings in Boston. Built around 1711, it was owned by Moses…
This unassuming building holds a fascinating story of evolving community. Built in 1916, this is the former Second Unitarian Church. The congregation commissioned this Colonial Revival-style building on Charles Street.…
Imagine a floating lighthouse, braving storms far out at sea. That's the story of the Nantucket Lightship LV-112, now docked here in Boston. This ship, designated Light Vessel No. 112, served for decades at the crucial…
Right here is where a literary firebrand was born! Margaret Fuller, a woman ahead of her time, spent her first sixteen years in this house. Born in 1810, Fuller became a leading figure in the Transcendentalist movement,…
Ever wonder what a famous architect's church looks like? You're passing one right now! St. Stephen's Church, right here in Boston's North End, is the only one of five Boston churches designed by Charles Bulfinch that's…
Imagine Cambridge buzzing with fishermen, even before Kendall Square was tech central! This factory was the first in the nation to churn out cotton fishing nets. The American Net and Twine Company built this brick…
Ever wonder where the machines that powered the industrial revolution came from? You're near one of the biggest sources right here in Cambridge. The Blake and Knowles Steam Pump Company, later Worthington Pump and…
Imagine being here on a chilly night in 1775, about to ignite a revolution. That's what happened right here at the Old North Church. On April 18th, 1775, Robert Newman, the church's sexton, bravely climbed the steeple…
Ever wonder where presidents go to church? Well, right here, in Quincy, you're near the United First Parish Church, also known as the Church of the Presidents. It's more than just a pretty building; it's the final…
Step back in time as you enter Hancock Cemetery, the final resting place of generations who shaped Quincy. This hallowed ground, established around 1640, offers a glimpse into the lives of the area's earliest settlers.…
Ever wonder what Cambridge was like back when stagecoaches rumbled through? This unassuming brick building, the Bottle House Block, has seen it all. Built in 1826 by Deming Jarves, owner of the New England Glass…
Check out that impressive brick building! It's the River Street Firehouse, and it's been standing here since 1890. Back then, Cambridge was growing, and the city needed a modern fire station for this part of town. They…
Look up! That tower, the Chickatawbut Observation Tower, isn't just a scenic overlook; it's a tribute to a leader who shaped the early days of Massachusetts. Chickatawbut was a sachem, or leader, of the Massachusett…
Imagine Boston without clean drinking water – unthinkable, right? This reservoir played a crucial role in making that a reality. Back in the mid-1860s, Boston was growing fast, and its existing water supply from the…
Pull over here for a second. This unassuming spot was once home to a radical experiment in living: Brook Farm. In 1841, George and Sophia Ripley, inspired by transcendentalist ideals, founded Brook Farm in West Roxbury.…
Imagine strolling through a carefully designed landscape, a natural escape just outside the bustling city. That's the legacy of the Blue Hills Reservation Parkways. In the 1890s, visionary landscape architect Charles…
Step back in time as you approach Christ Church Burial Ground, the silent witness to Quincy's early Anglican settlers. Established in 1727, this hallowed ground became the final resting place for members of the Christ…
Imagine being sick in 1890. You'd probably call on Dr. Frank Davis, who built this gorgeous Shingle-style house right here on Elm Street. Dr. Davis wasn't just any doctor; he was a prominent figure in Quincy, and his…
This historic church has been a center of worship since 1689! While the current building dates to 1874, the parish itself is much older. It's believed to be the oldest continuously active Episcopal parish in…
Right here, floating in Boston Harbor, is a piece of American grit: the USS Cassin Young. This Fletcher-class destroyer faced down the fury of World War II and lived to tell the tale. The Cassin Young, named for a Medal…
The USS Constitution has been floating since 1797, making her the oldest commissioned warship still afloat anywhere in the world. She earned the nickname "Old Ironsides" during the War of 1812, when British cannonballs…
This unassuming saltbox house on Brookline Street has witnessed over three centuries of Newton's history. Built around 1693, it was home to Thomas Hastings, a prominent figure in the early days of the town. Hastings was…
Ever wonder where Boston really began? You're driving through it! This is Town Hill in Charlestown, the site of Boston's first settlement. Back in 1629, Charlestown engineer Thomas Graves laid out this area. It was…
Stand here, in the shadow of this monument, and you're standing on hallowed ground, the site of a pivotal, bloody clash that helped ignite the American Revolution. On 1775, colonial militia, poorly equipped but fiercely…
Stand where the Battle of Bunker Hill raged, a pivotal moment in the American Revolution. On 1775, early in the American Revolutionary War, this was the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill. Actually, most of the fighting…
On June 17, 1775, colonial forces inflicted heavy casualties on the British in one of the bloodiest battles of the Revolution.
This U-shaped stadium isn't just a place to watch football; it's a piece of architectural history. Built in 1903, Harvard Stadium was a groundbreaking achievement. It was the first permanent concrete stadium…
Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, at 459 Broadway in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is where Patrick Ewing learned the game. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1962, Ewing moved to the Boston area around 1975 and picked up…
Right here is where some of America's most legendary warships were born! This is the Boston Navy Yard, established way back in 1801. It was one of the first shipbuilding facilities for the U.S. Navy. For over 170 years,…
Could this be one of the oldest houses in the area, dating back as far as 1645? The Hammond House, located on Old Orchard Road, is believed to be the oldest house in Newton. While the exact construction date is debated,…
Ever wonder what secrets are hidden behind those ivy-covered walls? This is the Delphic Club, one of Harvard's exclusive final clubs. Originally, this was a chapter of the Delta Phi fraternity, established way back in…
Ever heard of Christian Science? Well, this is where its founder spent her final years. Mary Baker Eddy, a prominent religious leader, purchased this house, then known as the Dupee Estate, in 1908 when she was in her…
Ever wonder what goes on behind those closed doors? We're near the Porcellian Club, Harvard's oldest and arguably most exclusive final club. Founded as the "Pig Club" in 1791, or maybe 1794 depending on who you ask, its…
Buckle up, art lovers! You're approaching the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, the *only* building in the United States designed primarily by the legendary architect Le Corbusier. Le Corbusier, with Chilean…
Prepare to be amazed; these aren't just any art museums! The Harvard Art Museums are a treasure trove, holding a quarter of a million objects from across the globe and spanning millennia. It all started in 1895 with the…
Check out Sever Hall! Its design was so groundbreaking that it became a model for college buildings across the country. Harvard commissioned architect H.H. Richardson to design Sever Hall in the 1870s. Richardson,…
Prepare to be transported back in time as you approach Boston College's historic campus, a stunning example of Collegiate Gothic architecture! Its centerpiece, Gasson Hall, is the anchor of this beautiful district.…
This imposing hall isn't just another pretty building; it's a memorial to Harvard men who died fighting for the Union in the Civil War. Construction began in 1870, a few years after the war ended. The idea was to create…
Harvard is older than calculus, older than the King James Bible's widespread adoption, older than the United States by 140 years. The Massachusetts Bay Colony founded it in 1636, just sixteen years after the Pilgrims…
Right here, in this quiet neighborhood, lived a man who quite literally gave voice to the world. This is the Reginald A. Fessenden House. From 1919 until his death in 1932, Reginald Fessenden called this house home. He…
Welcome to Harvard Yard, home to the iconic University Hall. Designed by Charles Bulfinch, this building is a powerful symbol of early American architecture and Harvard's enduring legacy. Built between 1813 and 1815,…