As Boston approaches its four-hundredth anniversary, the city manages to maintain its historic character despite constant development. Dozens of buildings in the city showcase Boston’s early history but, until now, no author has ever classified, illustrated and presented them as a group to a wide public audience. Accordingly, we are especially pleased to welcome back Joe Bagley, historic preservationist, mentor and City Archaeologist on the staff of the Boston Landmarks Commission, for a preview of his second book, 'Boston's Oldest Buildings and Where to Find Them'.
The fifty buildings featured in Joe’s book all pre-date1800 and illustrate Boston’s early history. They are surveyed through an approachable narrative intended to appeal to non-architects and those new to historic preservation. Beginning with a location map and an overview of the historic preservation movement in Boston, the book organizes the fifty buildings in chronological order. Because most of the buildings are located within the downtown area, within easy walking distance from the core of the city, the book will serve as a guide for tourists, but city residents will also note and appreciate the sites located in surrounding neighborhoods.
Each chapter of the book 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 its context. Published by Brandeis University Press, this compact and beautiful paperback guide will be available this month. All of the author proceeds will support the education and outreach efforts of the Boston Landmarks Commission. Joe Bagley's award-winning first book was 'A History of Boston in 50 Artifacts'.