Boston for Book Lovers, Part 1
Make Way for Ducklings statues
Photo uploaded by Nabeel H.
Overflowing with literary history and emerging writers, Boston is the perfect destination for the Bibliophile traveler. From the old haunts of Hawthorne and Emerson to the bargain book hunters in the basements of bookstores all over the city, Boston is home to a thriving literary community.
If you’d like to experience Boston’s bookish side, check out part 1 in our 3 part series about Boston for Book Lovers!
The Swan Boats of Boston: If you remember the books The Trumpet of the Swan and Make Way for Ducklings, you’ll certainly recognize this historical Boston tradition. These boats, developed by Robert Paget in the 1870s, are the only ones of their kind in the world. Located right in the Boston Public Garden, these are a beautiful excursion away from the hustle and bustle of the city. While you’re in the Garden, make sure to stop and see the statues immortalizing the famed ducklings from Make Way for Ducklings, cheerfully trotting along on their way to the pond!
The Boston Common Frog Pond is also a great stop for adults and children alike. Open year round, there’s ice skating in the winter and a wading pool to splash around in during the summer months.
The Omni Parker House Hotel: Built in the 1850s, this was a favorite spot among writers such as Charles Dickens, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Within the walls of this beautiful hotel, Dickens had his first reading of A Christmas Carol, and Longfellow wrote his first draft of the poem “Paul Revere’s Ride.” Located right on Boston’s famed “Freedom Trail,” the Parker House also hosted the “Saturday Club,” where notable literati such as Emerson and Longfellow met for afternoon poetry sessions.
The Athanaeum: Founded in 1807 on the principles of “…combining the advantages of a public library (and) containing the great works of learning and science in all languages,” Boston’s Athanaeum was another favorite spot of Charles Dickens and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Tours are available of the grand structure, but reservations are needed. It is one of the oldest libraries in the United States and also features a rotating gallery of art that is open to members and non-members alike. A true hidden jewel of the city, it’s a perfect spot to check out if you love the historical landmarks that make cities truly unique. After immersing yourself in history, ponder your new knowledge with friends over a drink at Cheers, the pub that inspired the hit television series!
Longfellow National Historic Site: Built in 1878 at 105 Brattle Street in Harvard Square, this was the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and his family. Not only is the house a grand example of 19th century architecture and aesthetics, but it also houses a rich collection of artifacts ranging from the fine arts to clothing, tools, and toys of the time. Stop by for a tour of the home and gardens and then, if it’s the night of a reading, stick around for a special event from the New England Poetry Club, the oldest poetry reading series in the nation.
Grolier Poetry Bookshop: A Harvard Square staple since 1927, this is the oldest continuous poetry bookshop in the United States. This is and was a favorite spot for poets including Donald Hall, Robert Creeley, Frank O’Hara, John Ashbery, Robert Bly, Marianne Moore, e.e. cummings, and Adrienne Rich. As former poet laureate Donald Hall said, “The Grolier Poetry Bookshop is the greatest poetry place in the universe. If we love poetry, the Grolier is our temple, agora, cottage, mansion, coliseum, and estate.”
While you’re in Harvard Square, you can also check out the Peabody Museum, which houses one of the finest collections of ethnographic and anthropological history in the world. Alternatively, you might watch literary works come to life at the American Repertory Theatre, voted by TIME magazine as one of the top three theatres in the country!
Be sure to check back in the near future for parts 2 and 3 of our Boston for Book Lovers series!
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