Did I Mention That I Went To Harvard?

Okay, I was on vacation at the time... So, last time I said that the next post would take us on the search for higher learning… All I needed to do was hop on the T's red line from the Boston Common and head out to Harvard. Established in 1636, it's the oldest educational institution in the United States. Located in Cambridge Massachusetts, Harvard's campus spreads up to 5000 acres, with approximately 20,000 students, 2,100 faculty members and 10,000 academic appointments in affiliated teaching hospitals.

In front of University Hall is the John Harvard Statue, also known as “The Statue of Three Lies”. The inscription reads “John Harvard, Founder, 1638”. However, these statements are not entirely true. The seated figure is not really John Harvard; there were no authentic photos of him so no one really knows if the likeness is accurate. Also, he was not the founder of Harvard, and the College was founded in 1636 not 1638. John Harvard was a young minister who was Harvard’s first benefactor. Upon his death in 1638 he left half his estate to the institution that now bears his famous name.

Right at the centre of everything is Harvard Square; there’s always a lot of activity here.  While I was taking the photo of the building at the corner of John F Kennedy a local tapped me on the shoulder and said I should zoom in on the third floor window... Is it just a little ironic, or just rather amusing, that you’ll find the offices of Dewey Cheetham & Howe on the Harvard campus?

 
Next time I'll be heading down the road from Harvard for some of my most favourite images so stay tuned.

DC

A Walk Around Boston Continues

This is the second post of my Boston series. The city definitely has a colonial flair and you can experience the history of Boston by walking "The Freedom Trail". Along the way you will see 16 nationally significant historic sites including the Old State House, the site of the Boston Massacre in 1770, the Old Granary Burying Ground, Paul Revere house and the Old North Church.

Here are a few images from the Freedom Trail.

Boston also has one of the oldest parks in the United States, "The Boston Common". Established in 1634, it covers more than 50 acres. Originally used as a cow pasture, it also held public hangings up until 1817. It’s a much more friendly, active as well as relaxing place now. Adjacent to the Boston Common is the Public Garden, established in 1837, after which the 24 acre landscape was transformed into a botanical paradise. Paths and flowerbeds snake their way around a small lake over which you will find the garden's signature suspension bridge.

Stay tuned, the next post takes us on the search for higher education.

Enjoy!

DC