Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
It's All French to Me
As you explore the Boston area, you'll keep hearing the name of sculptor
Daniel Chester French.
French (1850-1931) was responsible for the gorgeous
doors on the Dartmouth Street side of the
Boston Public Library,
the statue of
John Harvard
in Harvard Yard, and the
Minute Man
statue near the North
Bridge in Concord. If you're not a parochial Bostonian, you probably know him
best as the sculptor of the seated Abraham Lincoln in the presidential memo-
rial in Washington.
Fun Fact
Brochures and guides are available to help
you find your way around a building con-
sidered one of the finest examples of
church architecture in the country. Tours
cost $5. It's open daily from 8am to 6pm.
Friday organ recitals begin at 12:15pm.
Across Dartmouth Street is the:
%
Boston Public Library
The work of architect Charles Follen
McKim and many others, the Renais-
sance revival building was completed in
1895 after 10 years of construction. Its
design reflects the significant influence of
the Bibliothèque Nationale in Paris.
Wander up the steps to check out the
building's impressive interior (p. 159).
Daniel Chester French
designed the
doors.
Head across the street to Copley Square. In a
sense, you've come full circle; as at the Public
Garden, you'll see another playful and com-
pelling sculpture by Nancy Schön:
^
The Tortoise & Hare at Copley
Square
Designed to signify the end of the
Boston Marathon
(the finish line is on
Boylston St. between Exeter and Dart-
mouth sts.), this work was unveiled for
the 100th anniversary of the event in
1996.
From here you're in a good position to set out
for any other part of town or walk a little way
in any direction and continue exploring. Copley
Place and the Shops at Prudential Center are
nearby, Newbury Street is 1 block over, and
there's a Green Line T station at Boylston and
Dartmouth streets.
WALKING TOUR 2
HARVARD SQUARE
Start:
Harvard Square (T: Red Line to Harvard).
Finish:
John F. Kennedy Park.
Time:
2-4 hours, depending on how much time you spend in shops and museums.
Best Time:
Almost any time during the day. The Harvard University Art Museums are free on
Saturday morning.
Worst Time:
The first full week of June. You might have trouble gaining admission to Harvard
Yard during commencement festivities. The ceremony is Thursday morning; with-
out a ticket, you won't be allowed in.
Popular impressions to the contrary, Cambridge is not exclusively Harvard. In fact,
even Harvard Square isn't exclusively Harvard. During a walk around the area, you'll
see historic buildings and sights, interesting museums, and notable architecture on
and off the university's main campus.
