![]() In 1960, the Otis House was carefully renovated. ![]() There are pairs of rooms on either side of the central hall, which was the entertaining space. Bostonians had more flamboyant taste than the more muted Virginia colonials. Its paint colors and carpets are rather loud yet historically accurate. ![]() Inside, the Otis House has been restored to its 1800 appearance. It has a symmetrical facade with five bays and a fine Palladian window on the first floor with a lunette above. It’s one of Boston’s earliest three story brick homes. Outside, the Otis House is all Federal style. It was the first of three homes built for Boston politician and eventual mayor Harrison Gary Otis in 1796. The Otis House straddles Beacon Hill and the West End, in a spot formerly known as Bowdoin Square. This grand mansion was also designed by the ubiquitous Bulfinch. Otis House Museum: Boston’s Wealthiest Colonial In the early 20th century, it was the home of watercolor artist Gertrude Beals Bourne and her husband, architect Frank Bourne. It’s still a private home today. He was an artist who created the ceiling frescoes in the Representatives Hall of the Massachusetts State House. In the 1860s, the Sunflower House was occupied by artist Frank Hill Smith. Directly above the griffin, under the large gable in the roof, is a wooden carving of a sunflower. Above the front door, you can spot a black iron griffin. The second story and the roof are covered in a red English fish scale tiles. The first floor is painted bright yellow stucco. But its present appearance dates from 1878, when it was renovated by Charles Luce. The colorful Queen Anne style residence was built in 1848. The Sunflower House, also known as the Sunflower Castle, stands in contract to Beacon Hill’s traditional Federal architecture. Sunflower House: Queen Anne House in Yellow The Sunflower House on Mount Vernon Street 8. It’s free to enter the graveyard, which is open every day from 9:00 to 5:00 pm. Paul Revere, of course, was made famous by the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere. His grave is directly behind the Franklin Monument, in the shape of a pedestal. Most people visit Old Granary to pay their respects to Paul Revere. ![]() The quirkiest grave is that of Mary Goose, purportedly of nursery rhyme fame. The monument to the wealthy John Hancock, who helped fund the revolution, is easy to spot as well. The first and largest monument that you’ll see is the Benjamin Franklin Monument. The victims of the Boston Massacre are also buried here, in the Adams’ family tomb. The cemetery is the famous resting place of many freedom-loving patriots, including Paul Revere, John Hancock, and Samuel Adams. Old Granary is the third oldest burial ground in Boston, dating back to 1660. It’s the most visited cemetery in Boston. Right behind the Boston Athenaeum, you’ll find Granary Burying Ground. Old Granary Burying Ground: Patriot Resting Place > Click here to book a Beacon Hill walking tour I go virtually every time I’m in Boston, just to step back in history and relive the American Revolutionary period.Īfter all, Beacon Hill is one of the most ancient places in America and the only neighborhood in Boston that’s a designated National Historic Landmark. If you love mossy cobblestones, old houses, and historic landmarks, you should put Beacon Hill on your Boston itinerary. ![]() Today, Beacon Hill charms with picturesque streets, farm to table eateries, tony small-scale shops, and amazing hidden gem house museums. Pinterest pin for best things to do in Beacon Hillīut, while traditional, Beacon Hill isn’t stuck in the past or overly gentile. They were built for Boston’s Protestant merchant elite, known as the Boston Brahmins. Beacon Hill is regularly listed as one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in America.Īmerica’s first professional architect, Charles Bulfinch, designed many of the dignified Federal and Georgian style homes. It’s an extremely pretty and tranquil cluster of steep gaslit streets, brick sidewalks, and flower boxes. Beacon Hill is nestled behind the iconic gold dome of the Massachusetts State House. ![]()
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