Tuesday, September 25, 2018

T Stands for The Mapparium

During the Summer, the Highland Street Foundation offered Free Fun Fridays where area museums and attractions offered free admission. Nan and I decided to take advantage on the last Friday of the event, the Friday before Labor Day weekend. We would meet in Boston to visit the Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library. Mary Baker Eddy was the founder of the Church of Christ, Scientist.


Himself dropped me off at the train station in Grafton where I caught the 510 Commuter Rail on the Framingham-Worcester Line. The train arrived on time at 7:37 AM and would get me to Back Bay Station between 8:45 and 9 AM


Since Nan was taking the Orange Line to Back Bay Station, we agreed to meet at Au Bon Pain in Copley Place steps away from busy, Back Bay Station. Copley Place is a shopping and office complex in Copley Square.


Nan treated me to breakfast . Tea for me, coffee for her, and scrumptious Apple Cinnamon Croissant.  After breakfast and catching up, we headed to


The Boston Public Library. As it turned out, we both got a renewal notice for our library cards. The Eddy Library is a short walk from the BPL so since we were going by, we decided to renew our library cards. 

A Duck Boat tour vehicle makes its way down Dartmouth Street.


Across the street from the BPL, a Farmer's Market was taking place at Trinity Plaza.


We walked around the corner from the front entrance of the McKim building, the old library, to the entrance of the new library (built during the 1970s) to get our library cards renewed. Seems odd to have to renew a library card like you renew a driver's license.


With that out of the way, we walked the half mile or so to the Mary Baker Eddy Library. Visitor services were on hand with Free Fun Friday stickers. There is an admission fee to the Mapparium, but the rest of the libary is free to visit.


A light fixture in the foyer 


Also on hand was the Flamenco Boston, a flamenco dance group. They were giving a demonstration so we stopped to watch. There was a children's tour group, and they happily shouted Ole during the performance. A mom with a couple of toddlers was standing in front of us, and the little ones had a rollicking good time dancing and clapping to the music.


The Mapparium, while beautiful is a bit under-whelming. The Mapparium is a 3-storey, glass globe from 1935. You walk into this large room on a plexi-glass bridge and you are in the middle of the globe. Sadly, photography, even non-flash is not allowed. You can simulate a photo by standing in front of the globe backdrop.

Afterwards, we decided to go outside to see the Reflecting Pool. The reflecting pool is an outdoor area between the Christian Science Church and the Prudential Center. 


A beautiful floral display


The Christian Science Church


And the Reflecting Pool is undergoing major reconstruction. To be finished in the Fall of this year. 

We decided to head back to the BPL. With our renewed library cards, we would be able to visit the Rare Books and Manuscripts Department to look at Medieval Manuscripts.


The Rare Books and Manuscripts Department is located on the 3rd floor of the old library. We went up the stairs between Uncle Manny's lions. Don't forget to say Hi to Uncle Manny and to rub the tail of the lion for good luck.

We weren't lucky enough as the Rare Books and Manuscripts was closed undergoing major renovations. The department is expected to remain closed until 2019.

As it was lunch time, we knew one place that wouldn't be closed. Flour Bakery and Cafe, a favorite lunch spot. Nan and I ate there the last time we were in Boston 2 years ago. The bakery was crowded so we got our food to go. Since it was a Goldilocks Day, not too hot, not to cold we decided to take our lunch and eat outside at Trinity Plaza. We found an empty park bench.


Hard to photograph my BLT (arugula, tomato, mayo, balsamic vinaigrette, toasted focaccia) and iced tea with lemon while balancing lunch in my lap.


Lunch time and the pigeons were out enforce looking for a handout. 

After lunch, we decided to go to Lord and Taylors. Nan was looking for a pair of shoes for a wedding and had seen some on sale. They didn't have the shoes Nan was looking for.


She tried on a pair of cute, blue gingham shoes. Still on sale, but a little too steep in price.


We went back to Trinity Plaza and browsed through the Farmer's Market. Statue of Boston artist John Singleton Copley



Before heading back to Back Bay Station, we went back to the library. Nan thought she would like a book to read on the subway. She forgot her readers so was looking at large-print books, but couldn't find anything appealing.

I can't read in a moving vehicle.


Walking back to the train station, I took a picture of Trinity Church and the Old Hancock Tower dwarfed by the new Hancock Tower. A single cloud like a flying saucer is reflected in the glass structure. The "new" tower, constructed during the 1970s, is the tallest building in Boston and had an observation deck with magnificent views of the city. The observation deck was closed after 9/11. 

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

33 comments:

  1. I'm glAd you got to see some places even if others were closed. Shame you couldn't take pics in the mapparium. And good that the eateries weren't closed. Happy T Day, Valerie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Too bad photos inside the Mapparium aren't allowed. A photo in front of the backdrop is a bit lame.

      Delete
  2. Looks like a fun day in the big city.You had perfect weather for sure. Hopefully it wasn't too hot. I have never heard of the Mapparium. It looks neat and looks like you discovered some interesting things. Happy T day. Hugs-Erika

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The weather was perfect the Friday before Labor Day. I had first visited the Mapparium on a tour with the Girl Scouts when I was a kid.

      Delete
  3. It looks like you had such a wonderful time on your day out with Nan! So much to see and do and such beautiful weather too 😁. Thanks for sharing and wishing you a Happy T Day! J 😊 x

    ReplyDelete
  4. even though some things were closed sounds like a very fun day out-and an adventure too-wow I have not rode a train like that probably since the late 60's sounds like you enjoyed perfect weather too-loved the photos--Happy T Kathy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The commuter rail is the only way to get into Boston. Traffic is horrendous driving in, not much parking, and the parking available is so expensive.

      Delete
  5. The Mapparium sounds like fun, but the no-photo policy seems regressive. They'll enter this century someday, I trust ;)

    Your outing sounds delightful. I love a day trip with variety :) Happy T Tuesday

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even the BPL allows non-flash photography of its Medieval Manuscripts and rare books which are considerably older than the 1935 Mapparium

      Delete
  6. How sad you had to pay all that money for viewing the Mapparium and weren't allowed to take photos. It's odd the stickers were for Free Friday, but according to their web site, everything is always free, except the Mapparium.

    The BPL looks beautiful and the lion is incredible. Too bad everything was either under construction, renovation, or closed. At least it appears you had an AWESOME breakfast and lunch.

    Thanks for sharing your day in Boston with Nan, your breakfast and lunch, along with your tea with us this T Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everything is free at the Mary Baker Eddy Library because it's a library. The Mapparium charges a very modest fee. I think $6 which wouldn't really break anyone's bank.

      Delete
  7. Just saw your comment to Kathy. I drove and parked in Bah stun. Everyone knew I was a tourist. Of course when I ordered coffee with cream, it came WHITE, just the way I like it. The only good thing I remember about my time there (grin).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Close: Baw-stun. Bah-stun is how you Midwesterners say it. =^,.^=

      Delete
  8. A farmer's market in the middle of the city? That's neat. maybe it's not unusual in your area. But in Milwaukee and NJ, we always had to drive out into the country for fresh produce.

    A Goldilocks Day - how clever - I never heard that phrase. Is it a CJ-ism?

    What a lovely tour of downtown Boston. You two walked your legs off!

    Happy T-day! Hugs, Eileen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The Farmer's Market has been going on at Trinity Plaza for several years. Yes, Goldilocks Day is my phrase. You're welcome to use it. We were only in a small section of the city.

      Delete
  9. What a fun day! We have visited Boston three times. One of those times we visited Trinity Church. I have a cool photo of it reflected in the Hancock Tower. I like yours with the flying saucer. :). Thanks for taking us along on your day. Happy TSFT!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your photo of Trinity Church must be beautiful. I didn't notice the flying saucer until I was editing photos. :-D

      Delete
  10. It looks like you had a super day out. All the photos looked lovely. I know how you feel about not being able to take photos inside, it happens in a number of places here. It is allowed in some of the old buildings they are usually poorly lit and flash photography is not allowed.
    Your food looked delicious and good that you could find somewhere to eat outside.
    Happy T day wishes.
    Yvonne xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, disappointing not to be able to take photos inside the Mapparium. I suppose even if allowed, it was so crowded you wouldn't be able to get a shot.

      Delete
  11. Wow. What a glorious day. So glad you had fun.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sounds (and looks) like it was an enjoyable day! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nan and I don't get to see each other often as we live half the state away from each other. We always have a good time when we get together.

      Delete
  13. Wow! Looks like my kind of day. Libraries make me happy and I could spend a whole day there. Au Bon Pain has such yummy food! And churches with architecture are the perfect place to sit and reflect. Those shoes are beautiful on your friend! But don't look comfortable for a lot of walking. So glad that you shared your day with us.
    Happy Tea Day,
    Kate

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You would love the Boston Public Library Copley Square Branch (the main library). So much to see and do. Take the free Art and Architecture tour, have a proper tea (make a reservation first), and if the weather is nice, there'll be some sort of performance or concert in the courtyard.

      Delete
  14. I love the casual way you describe your journey in order to met up early! Both train journeys seem quite long to me but I am guessing that the bigger the country in which you live the shorter journeys that you take get you quite far in British terms! (Does that make sense?) I would love to visit Boston so thanks for the views! Greta that you and Nan met up and had a good time despite the renovation works! Your food looks delicious and I am sure all the better for being able to eat outdoors! Belated Happy T Day! Chrisx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Massachusetts isn't a large state. You can make it from one end to the other in 3 hrs. We tend to judge distances by how long it takes. Most Bostonians don't like to venture further than an hour away from home. Otherwise, it's an expedition of a trip, you need to pack snacks, extra clothing, first aid stuff. Like being a pioneer. =^,.^= I live smack in the middle of the state. Nan lives closer to Boston. It takes me about an hour and a quarter by train, if the train is on time. It could take closer to 2 hours to drive depending on traffic. Boston is an easy city to walk around or get around by subway.

      Delete
  15. CJ, you always go on such great outings! And, you always have the best of food! LOL! I have to say, I love those gingham shoes! Adorable! Too bad so many places were closed, because of the renovations. Does everyone rub the lion's tail?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm fortunate to live in area where there lots of things to do and a variety of places to eat. The lion is made from unfinished marble, but the tail has been "polished" by people rubbing the tail so I think a lot of people rub the lion's tail. Or at least the ones that go on the art and architecture tour because they're told about the good luck trivia.

      Delete
  16. Those photographs are all very beautiful, Thanks so much for sharing them with us. Boston may be a pretty city. I have been specially great surprised with the flamenco dance photo, because I´m spanish., interesting.
    I wish you a very nice weekend, big hugs, Caty

    ReplyDelete