Boston Public Library

-

The Boston Public Library was established as the first large free library in the mid-1840s at a relatively small building (a schoolhouse) in Boston. But, impressively, it had outgrown itself before opening. Right away plans were made to move the collection to the current, massive, and amazing location in the 1890s, and it's kept growing to the twenty-six branch system it is today.

The design is that of a palace surrounding a courtyard. It's one of those places where you think you've seen it all, but then you walk through a doorway to another wing or another study room. The library seems endless.

This statue adorns the front steps of the main entrance. It is titled "Art" and was created by Bela Pratt (1867-1917). 


Bates Hall is the perfect place to do research or just grab a book and read. The lamps, the busts, the ceiling and dome at the end. It's inspiring.


Two lion sculptures greet visitors who pass between them on the staircase. The lions sit on bases which the names of battles fought in Massachusetts are carved.

Unlike the rest of the staircase, the lions were left unpolished. The story is that when the sculptor Louis Saint-Gaudens (1854-1913) delivered them, the architect wanted them polished. However, some veterans of the battles mentioned in the bases liked the contrast and asked they be left as is.



The original 'Google'! 
I love a good card catalog. In fact, this photo was my cell phone's background photo for many months after this shot was taken. 


Child and Swan by Leopoldo Ansiglione (1832-1894).
My favorite statue at the library. It casually sits in an alcove near the elevator.
Simple and sweet!



If you'd like to learn more about the Boston Public Library, or plan your own visit, you can click here for a link to their site.


SaveSave
SaveSave

Comments

Post a Comment

You Might Also Like...

WeeBox Subscription from Scotland

-
Image
Our first WeeBox arrived!! If you haven't noticed, we love everything to do with Scotland. You can guess how excited I was to find that there is a monthly subscription service to receive a box of curated items from Scotland.  Our first month of the subscription, December's WeeBox, was full of items to help celebrate Hogmanay. Scotland's last day of the year, is a time for celebrating, eating, and exchanging gifts. Hogmanay traditions include singing Auld Lang Syne and First Footing, where your first visitor in the home after midnight should bring gifts - including, but not limited to, a lump of coal, some shortbread,  and whisky (of course). WeeBox set us up properly for Hogmanay. They included a warm hat, a flask, yummy shortbread, a book, a bag with coal, and the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne so we don't stumble too much through the song. If you'd like to read more about Hogmanay, I'd suggest this online article .  If you'd like to c...
Read more

San Fernando Cathedral - San Antonio Texas

-
Image
San Fernando Cathedral was founded in 1731 by a group of 15 families who came from the Canary Islands at the invitation of King Phillip V of Spain and is the oldest, continuously functioning religious community in the State of Texas. On a rainy San Antonio day, we found it very warm and inviting. Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral in 1987. The remains of  Davy Crockett, William B. Travis, Jim Bowie, and many other defenders of the Alamo.
Read more

Universal Yums - Celebrating Greece

-
Image
January's Universal Yums box took us to Greece!! Lots of goodness in this box! Totti's Bread Chips - Just like croutons! Yum! Sesame Pasteli with Almonds - they date back to 1450 BC!! Parthenon Green Olives with Fennel & Coriander - "Olives rule Greek life!" Bergamot Jelly Candies - Like Earl Grey tea, but in candy form. Serenata Dark Chocolate Wafer - The most popular wafer cookies in Greece! Totti's Oregano Chips - Potatoes, popular in Greece since 1829. Bliss Cocoa Toffee - Cacao is the "food of the gods". Derby Chocolate Bar - light, airy and better than most US brands of bars. Our picks for Best Yum - Serenata Dark Chocolate Wafer, Parthenon Green Olives with Fennel & Coriander, and Derby Chocolate Bar. So much to choose from! What else did we learn about Greece this month? Well, do you ever say "jinx!!' or "pinch, poke, you owe me a coke"? If you're in Greece an...
Read more

WeeBox Love

-
Image
WeeBox's February Delivery What better way to get in the mood for Valentine's Day than a soft flower scented candle and a book of Scottish love poems that could make you blush!  February's WeeBox was full of love. What to do with this box of goodies? Let's see - the book and candle are now on my night stand, the bracelet turned out to be a little tricky to figure out how to secure it (we really needed instructions, oops) so it doesn't have an owner just yet, and Alex claimed the button that had a cute saying on it. The jar of champagne jam (for breakfast in bed of course) is in the refrigerator and waiting to be taste-tested.  It sounds cliché but getting the WeeBox each month really is like Christmas. You open the package and are excited to see what your loved ones have thoughtfully chosen to share with you. Cross your fingers that they like you and don't send fruitcake or socks. Luckily the WeeBox staff seem to like us!
Read more