Taking advantage of my own (work) neighborhood, Copley Square

                  "Time in the world of the museum is slower than it is outside" 
                                        New Yorker Art Critic Harold Rosenberg

Trinity Church in Copley Square

Why do we not take advantage of the things right in front of us?  One of my major passions in life is travel, yet I live near, and work in (Copley Square), one of my favorite places on the planet.  Boston, being the “Athens of America,” has a plethora of things to do, much of it free or very low in cost.  I have been making myself take advantage of these things in more recent years, see my “Summer Eves in the City “ blog post (that being primarily about The Esplanade. )   Actually, I guess I always have off and on as when my Girls were younger I would steal my boss’ Calendar section (the precursor to the now daily G Section) of the Boston Globe on Thursdays and plot my weekends with my little Ladies.

You know when you’re playing on the internet, wasting way too much time, but having fun?  I found this great young guy, Seth Kugel, who says in his “Frugal Traveler” blog for the New York Times:  “ Every touristy city has free attractions: Google the city name and “free” and you’ll get lists of art galleries and farmers’ markets and fireworks. But Boston takes it to an extreme with its dozens of college campuses that are to a surprising and admirable degree open to everyone.”  When looking for ideas to fill an evening or weekend day, I frequently go to the complete article: "Boston, Free and Easy (and Campus-Oriented)". http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/08/boston-free-and-easy-and-campus-oriented/ .

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Besides college offerings, we have so many cultural, and of course historical, institutions.  Right outside my office window in Copley Square is the Boston Public Library, or for those in the know, the BPL. www.bpl.org/  From its website: "Founded in 1848, by an act of the Great and General Court of Massachusetts, the Boston Public Library (BPL) was the first large free municipal library in the United States. The Boston Public Library's first building of its own was a former schoolhouse located on Mason Street that was opened to the public on March 20, 1854. The library's collections approximated 16,000 volumes, and it was obvious from the day the doors were first opened that the quarters were inadequate.   In December of that same year the library's Commissioners were authorized to locate a new building upon a lot on Boylston Street. The present Copley Square location has been home to the library since 1895, when architect Charles Follen McKim completed his "palace for the people." There are many free tours, lectures, readings, films, and exhibits held all year long, for free.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Across the Copley Square Park is Trinity Church. www.trinitychurchboston.org/.   From its website:   "Ask any architect, architectural historian, or critic and they'll tell you that Trinity Church is a masterpiece of American architecture. Dedicated in 1877, Trinity presented a bold, fresh new face and feeling for ecclesiastical architecture in America. The Church continues to be heralded today as a celebrated example of "Richardsonian Romanesque" design, named after its architect, H. H. Richardson. The Department of Art & Architecture Programs at Trinity illuminates the history and detail of the building and enhances the experiences of the more than 100,000 visitors at Trinity each year."  There are free tours after the 11:15 a.m. service most Sundays.

The Gardner Courtyard From Yelp

Down in the Fenway neighborhood, a mile or so away is one of my favorite museums in the world, the Gardiner, which has just undergone a major renovation.  www.gardnermuseum.org/  Mrs. Jack’s own personal story is awesome, a woman definitely ahead of her time.  I would have loved to be at one of her infamous dinner parties!  And, of course it was the scene of one of the most notorious, unsolved art heists in history.  It offers many “neighborhood nights” which are free and open to the public.

MFA from its website

The Museum of Fine Arts is another amazing gift to the city, also having just undergone a huge renovation in recent years.  www.mfa.org/ It is almost too overwhelming to even try and do the whole museum in one visit.  I usually go for just one or two exhibits, a lecture, or film.  One Saturday this past winter, I just did the first floor of the new Arts in the Americas Wing.  It is pay what you want on Wednesday evenings, and many Holidays are free.

Just a few ideas on ways, and places to explore, and enjoy free or cheaply, in the city I lovingly call home!