From the mid-19th century through the nation’s centennial in 1876, some of Boston’s most important historic sites and attractions were destroyed or nearly so. Starting with the Beacon Hill home of founding father John Hancock in 1863, and going right through the 20th century, Old South Meetinghouse, the Old State House, the Old Corner Bookstore, and many other buildings that help lend Boston its unique character, were threatened with demolition in the name of progress. After early losses, Boston was faced with the prospect of midwestern cities like Chicago or St Louis buying up and moving iconic buildings in order to save them from the wrecking ball. Through this threat, Bostonians learned to value their cultural heritage and banded together to protect early historic sites, especially those connected to the Revolutionary War that were of importance to all Americans.
The Birth of Historic Preservation
- A history of Old South Meeting House.
- This Congressional report includes ads and press clippings we quoted.
- A 1917 report includes details on the financing that saved Old South.
- Samuel Adams Drake’s treatment of the sale of the Hancock house.
- The door of Hancock’s home on display at the Old State House.
- Business leaders argue in favor of demolishing the Old State House.
- Sara B Chase’s history of the Old State House building.
- The city council considers proposals to save or demolish the Old State House.
- Notes from the Bostonian Society on efforts to move the Old State House to St Louis.
- Whitmore and Moore argue over proposed renovations for the Old State House.
- About the demolition of Pine Bank.
- An article about historic New England buildings that have been lost or saved.
- The North Bennett Street School popup at the Old Corner Bookstore.
Boston Book Club
While our main story this week is going to focus on the manmade landscape of Boston, highlighting what has changed and what we believe to be worth saving, Remaking Boston: An Environmental History of the City and Its Surroundings takes a similar approach to the natural landscape. It’s divided into sections about the harbor, town and countryside, and the climate. This is a go-to source when I’m researching episodes like the story of the 17th century canal called the Mother Brook or how the need for improved sewers helped inspire Boston’s history of annexations. It is peppered through with illustrations, including maps, diagrams, and historic photos. In one effective sequence, the effect of climate change is illustrated by printing a series of photos showing natural processes: azaleas blossoming in the Arboretum, Lady Slippers blooming in the Stony Brook, or apples ripening for harvest. By printing a dated historic photo next to a dated modern photo of the same process, the authors create a vivid picture of our warming seasons, with lady slippers that used to bloom at the end of June now peaking in mid-May and apples that we used to pick in August now ripening in October.
Here’s an excerpt from the publisher’s description:
Situated on an isthmus, and blessed with a natural deepwater harbor and ocean access, Boston became an important early trade hub with Europe and the world. As its population and economy grew, developers extended the city’s shoreline into the surrounding tidal mudflats to create more useable land. Further expansion of the city was achieved through the annexation of surrounding communities, and the burgeoning population and economy spread to outlying areas. The interconnection of city and suburb opened the floodgates to increased commerce, services, and workforces, while also leaving a wake of roads, rails, bridges, buildings, deforestation, and pollution.
Profiling this ever-changing environment, the contributors tackle a variety of topics, including: the glacial formation of the region; physical characteristics and composition of the land and harbor; dredging, sea walling, flattening, and landfill operations in the reshaping of the Shawmut Peninsula; the longstanding controversy over the link between landfills and shoaling in shipping channels; population movements between the city and suburbs and their environmental implications; interdependence of the city and its suburbs; preservation and reclamation of the Charles River; suburban deforestation and later reforestation as byproducts of changing land use; the planned outlay of parks and parkways; and historic climate changes and the human and biological adaptations to them.
If you’re curious about the effect that both manmade and natural processes have had on the natural world underlying the city of Boston, check out Remaking Boston.
Upcoming Event
And since this week’s episode is all about the early days of historic preservation, our upcoming event will highlight present day efforts through the 2019 Preservation Achievement Awards.
The Boston Preservation Alliance works to ensure that our history carries on into our future. The BPA, a nonprofit organization, brings people and organizations together to influence the future of Boston’s historic buildings, landscapes, and communities. Through advocacy and education, the BPA attempts to create thoughtful change that protects the historic character that defines our city – important work in a city where 17th century structures are nestled into modern neighborhoods, and our modern architecture often lacks character.
The 31st annual Preservation Achievement Awards will be held on Monday, October 21, 2019, at the Revere Hotel, 200 Stuart Street, Boston. The event celebrates the BPAs mission of Protecting Places, Promoting Vibrancy, and Preserving Character.
Tickets are $150 through October 1, and $65 for young professionals under $40. Doors open at 5:30 pm and the evening will begin with food and drinks. Opening remarks begin at 6:00 pm and the party will continue after the Awards are bestowed—stay to mingle, network, and congratulate the honorees.
Among the awards that are annually presented are the Preservation Acheivmemt Awards, described as:
Neighborhoods are living things. They evolve to the changing needs of their inhabitants. Rural farms become streetcar suburbs. Carriage lanes become roads. Thriving businesses fade. The buildings and places that survive these changes become natural points of reference for the neighborhood and vessels of collective memory. They are physical touchpoints for residents today and tomorrow.
This year’s cohort of award winners shows that historic buildings and parks can adapt to the changing neighborhood around them. Historic structures add a splash of uniqueness to a contemporary brand. As the historic structures blossom with new life, they add an extra layer to the collective memory of the neighborhood.
Sometimes the best way to adapt is to restore and preserve, but with a focus on 21st-century needs. Our award winners illustrate that buildings designed for the needs of people from past centuries can be renewed to fit the needs of a contemporary world. When buildings are designed for people, they can continue to be used by people.
The 2019 PRESERVATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS are:
- 240A Newbury Street
- 2101 Washington Street
- Boston University Dahod Family Alumni Center
- Boston Volvo
- Fowler Clark Epstein Farm
- Longfellow Bridge
- Senate Chambers
Congratulations to this year’s winners!