Boston's Oldest Buildings and Where to Find Them (Paperback)

Boston's Oldest Buildings and Where to Find Them By Joseph M. Bagley Cover Image

Boston's Oldest Buildings and Where to Find Them (Paperback)

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As Boston approaches its four-hundredth anniversary, it is remarkable that it still maintains its historic character despite constant development. The fifty buildings featured in this book all pre-date 1800 and illustrate Boston’s early history. This is the first book to survey Boston’s fifty oldest buildings and does so through an approachable narrative which will appeal to nonarchitects and those new to historic preservation. Beginning with a map of the buildings’ locations and an overview of the historic preservation movement in Boston, the book looks at the fifty buildings in order from oldest to most ­recent. Geographically, the majority of the buildings are located within the downtown area of Boston along the Freedom Trail and within easy walking distance from the core of the city. This makes the book an ideal guide for tourists, and residents of the city will also find it interesting as it includes numerous properties in the surrounding neighborhoods. The buildings span multiple uses from homes to churches and warehouses to restaurants. Each chapter features a building, a narrative focusing on its historical significance, and the efforts made to preserve it over time. Full ­color photos and historical drawings illustrate each building and area. Boston’s Oldest Buildings and Where to Find Them presents the ideals of historic preservation in an approachable and easy­-to-­read manner appropriate for the broadest audience. Perfect for history lovers, architectural enthusiasts, and tourists alike. 

Joseph M. Bagley is the city archaeologist of Boston, a historic preservationist, and a staff member of the Boston Landmarks Commission. He has worked for multiple local and state historic preservation offices, including the Maine Historic Preservation Commission and the Massachusetts Historical Commission.
Product Details ISBN: 9781684580392
ISBN-10: 1684580390
Publisher: Brandeis University Press
Publication Date: April 24th, 2021
Pages: 248
Won
— Boston Preservation Alliance Preservation Achievement Award

"As Boston's city archaeologist, Joe Bagley knows more about the Olde Towne's historic structures than do most people. He shares that knowledge... This however, is not a book about architecture - as Bagley says in his introduction, 'it is about Bostonians... and what makes Boston, Boston.'" 
— AAA Explorer

"Bagley is wry and witty . . . demonstrating superior deductive skills and rousing the public to see the value of their past around them."
— New Boston Post, for "A History of Boston in 50 Artifacts"

"City archaeologist Joseph Bagley has a special way of bringing Boston's evolution to life. In A History of Boston in 50 Artifacts Bagley delivers a tangible take on our past through a collection of stunning portraits of things that have been unearthed here."
— Boston Magazine, for "A History of Boston in 50 Artifacts"

"The author's engaging writing style keeps the pages turning. Recommended."
— Choice, for "A History of Boston in 50 Artifacts"