Everything Winthrop is known for
Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near Winthrop.
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.
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.
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.
On December 16, 1773, colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped 342 chests of East India Company tea into Boston Harbor.
Home of Paul Revere from 1770 to 1800, and starting point of his famous midnight ride to Lexington on April 18, 1775.
Launched in 1797, the USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat, famous for its War of 1812 victories.
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
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
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.
America's oldest continuously operating restaurant since 1826. JFK's favorite booth is marked with a plaque. Boston landmark.
America's oldest baseball park since 1912. The Green Monster looms over left field.
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.
435 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the nearest 200 are listed here — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.
Pull over here – you're about to see a piece of American history that's been continuously lived in longer than any other home in the country! This is the Deane Winthrop House, built around 1675 by Deane Winthrop, son of…
Imagine a time when Boston Harbor was vulnerable to attack from the sea. That's why Fort Banks was built. Construction began around 1890 during a period when the United States was upgrading its coastal defenses. The…
Step back in time as we pass the Bennington Street Burying Ground, a final resting place holding the stories of East Boston's early residents. This cemetery, established in 1838, reflects a transition in burial styles.…
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…
Pull over for a second – this unassuming house might just be sitting on centuries of secrets! The Bellingham–Cary House, right here on Parker Street, dates back to 1724. But here's the twist: some believe its timbers…
Pull over here for a second – this unassuming house was once home to a shipbuilding legend. Donald McKay, who lived here in East Boston, designed and built some of the fastest clipper ships the world had ever seen.…
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…
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,…
This isn't just any lighthouse; it's the fourth one to stand on this island, guiding ships through Boston Harbor for generations. The story of Long Island Head Light begins in 1819. The Boston Marine Society,…
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,…
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,…
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,…
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…
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 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…
Home of Paul Revere from 1770 to 1800, and starting point of his famous midnight ride to Lexington on April 18, 1775.
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…
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…
On December 16, 1773, colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped 342 chests of East India Company tea into Boston Harbor.
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…
Launched in 1797, the USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship still afloat, famous for its War of 1812 victories.
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
Built in 1742 as a marketplace and meeting hall, Faneuil Hall hosted the speeches that built the case for American independence.
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…
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
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
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.
Adams Square was an underground streetcar station located at Adams Square in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It opened in 1898 and was used until 1963.
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
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.
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 New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston, Massachusetts, is dedicated to the Jewish people who were murdered by Nazi Germany during the Holocaust.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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
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 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
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.
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 "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 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
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 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.
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 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*…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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
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
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 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
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 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
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
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
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 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
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
These seemingly tranquil islands hold centuries of stories, from ancient settlements to crucial military fortifications. Long before European colonists arrived, Native Americans inhabited these islands, using them for…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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.…
Right here, a powerful senator charted a course that kept the US out of the League of Nations. This is the Henry Cabot Lodge House, home to the influential senator who, for decades, shaped American foreign policy.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Right here, in Somerville, you're near the house of a man who helped invent the telephone! Charles Williams Jr. manufactured electrical telegraph instruments in Boston. Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas A. Watson…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Stop and listen close: you're driving past Malden's oldest history, buried right here. This is the Common Burying Ground at Sandy Bank, established way back in 1649. For generations, Malden residents found their final…
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 unassuming brick building is a piece of Malden history; it's the oldest brick building in the whole city! Back in 1848, this area was really taking off, and this building, known as the Waite Brick Block, went up…
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 shine a light on history! Boston Light, standing tall on Little Brewster Island, isn't just a pretty picture – it's America's very first lighthouse. Back in 1716, they built the first beacon here to guide…
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…
Nine miles offshore, that lonely sentinel, the Graves Light, stands guard, a vital beacon for ships navigating the treacherous waters around Boston. Back in the early 1900s, as larger ships started using the North…
This unassuming spot was once home to a rare survivor from before the American Revolution. The house at 35 Temple Street, likely built between 1750 and 1780, was a classic example of Georgian architecture, with its…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
This unassuming building tells a story of how Malden cared for its most vulnerable citizens. It started in the 18th century as a poor farm, a place where people who couldn't support themselves could find shelter and…
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…
Pull over for a minute. This quiet patch of green holds the stories of Somerville's earliest families. It's the Milk Row Cemetery, established in 1804, when this area was still part of Charlestown. It's the oldest…
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…
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…
Fenway Park opened on April 20, 1912, and the headline got buried because the Titanic had sunk five days earlier. It's the oldest ballpark still in use in Major League Baseball, and everything about it is weird. The…
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…
This unassuming house whispers tales of Somerville's earliest days. Located just off Dane Street, this is one of Somerville's oldest surviving structures. Built around 1790, this house predates much of the surrounding…
This unassuming house holds a secret: it's one of the oldest buildings still standing in Somerville! Dating back to 1783, the Adams-Magoun House offers a rare glimpse into what life was like here centuries ago.Built by…
Pull over for a second. This unassuming building was once the heart of a powerful brotherhood: Civil War veterans. Built in 1885, this is the Grand Army of the Republic Hall, built by and for Union Army veterans. It…
This unassuming building once housed heroes who stared death in the face to save lives. The Point Allerton Lifesaving Station, built in 1889, was home to crews of the United States Life-Saving Service. Their mission? To…
Check out that fancy house! It's a reminder of Lynn's booming shoe industry. Lucian Newhall, a successful businessman who made his fortune in the shoe business, commissioned this house in 1866. It's a great example of…
This isn't just another city hall; it's a living tribute to Lynn's history and a testament to civic pride. Lynn Memorial City Hall and Auditorium was built in 1948-1949, spearheaded by Mayor Albert Cole. It was…
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…
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…
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 wonder where American industry got its start? This is it! The Saugus Iron Works was the first integrated ironworks in North America. Founded by John Winthrop the Younger, it operated from 1646 to around 1670. They…
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,…
Ever hear of Christian Science? It started right here in Lynn. From 1875 to 1882, this house was home to Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of the Church of Christ, Scientist. During her time here, she revised her seminal…
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…
This unassuming building fragment is a rare survivor from Somerville's early days, a piece of a tavern that once welcomed travelers and locals alike. Built around 1806 by John Davenport, this wing was an addition to…
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…
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 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…
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…
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,…
Ever wonder what a university does with all its research and collections? Here's the answer! This building, the University Museum, is home to multiple Harvard museums under one roof. It all started in 1859 with a…
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…
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,…
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…
Step back in time—you're standing near the oldest surviving building at Harvard, Massachusetts Hall, where pivotal moments in early American history unfolded. Completed in 1720, Massachusetts Hall was originally…
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 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 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 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…
Stand here on Cambridge Common, where history echoes with the spirit of revolution and intellectual ferment. This common served as a gathering place for troops during the American Revolutionary War. On July 3rd, 1775,…
You're approaching a landmark that whispers tales of revolution and architectural brilliance: Christ Church. Built between 1760 and 1761, this church stands as one of the few buildings definitively designed by Peter…
This isn't just another pretty colonial house; it's a stark reminder that slavery existed right here in Massachusetts. The Royall family, starting with Isaac Royall in the 1730s, built their wealth on the backs of…
Pull over for a sec! This house is where Dexter Pratt, the real-life inspiration for Longfellow's famous poem, "The Village Blacksmith," lived. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a professor at Harvard, often walked past…
This common was a center of civic activity during the Revolutionary War. It was also the site where, on July 3rd, 1775, General George Washington took command of the Continental Army. Before Washington arrived, the…
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…
This unassuming house holds the key to understanding why science in America is what it is today. Built in 1900, this was the home of Theodore William Richards, the first American to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He…
Craving a slice of Americana? Rosebud is more than just a diner; it's a perfectly preserved time capsule from the golden age of roadside eats. Built in 1941 by the Worcester Lunch Car Company, Rosebud was commissioned…
Right here, in this area, a housewife turned herself into one of the most successful businesswomen of the 1800s! Lydia Pinkham, living at 285 Western Avenue, developed her famous Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound.…
Hold on tight, because even in a place as quiet as a cemetery, there's a story to be told. Pine Grove Cemetery in Lynn is more than just a final resting place; it's a snapshot of the city's history. Established in the…
Get ready to feast your eyes on some serious Victorian architecture! The Joseph K. Manning House is arguably the most elaborate Second Empire-style home in all of Medford. Built in 1875, this three-story wood-frame…
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…
Imagine General George Washington pacing these very floors, strategizing how to liberate Boston! This house, now the Longfellow House–Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, served as Washington's headquarters…
Pull over for a sec, you've gotta see this. The Boardman House is one of the best-preserved examples of early colonial architecture in New England. Built in 1692, the house was home to the Boardman family for…
Imagine cows once crossing under this bridge - a reminder of Cambridge's agricultural past. This tunnel, now a historical landmark, was built in 1857 as a cattle pass. It allowed livestock to move between the railroad…
Pulling up on Davis Square? Check out that old theater! The Somerville Theatre has been entertaining folks for over a century. Originally a vaudeville house and movie theater, it opened its doors way back when. Over…
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…
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in the second-floor master bedroom of this gray clapboard house on May 29, 1917. His father Joe had bought the place for $6,500 the year before. It's a modest house by Kennedy standards,…
Imagine being a fly on the wall in the literary world of the late 19th century. This unassuming house was right at the center of it. From 1873 to 1878, this was the home of William Dean Howells, a hugely influential…
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…
Hey, check it out! That little shingle-style building right there is more than just a pretty face; it's the oldest active fish house in the entire country! That's the Swampscott Fish House. Back in 1896, the town…
Get ready to sing! This unassuming house is believed to be the inspiration for the Thanksgiving classic, 'Over the River and Through the Wood.' Lydia Maria Child, the poem's author, frequently visited her grandfather's…