THE ART WALK PROJECT

I don’t think it’s an understatement to say that Boston’s most iconic and visited locations are Boston Common (est 1634) and The Public Garden (est 1837). Situated in the historic center of the city the two public parks sit side by side and reflect the evolution of the city and our perspectives over time.

Whether exploring the botanical garden, strolling across the parade ground, or taking in some of the art this art walk takes us on a creative adventure that includes some of our most important historic sculptures and monuments and tells us about the longstanding and ongoing commitment of the city’s inhabitants and leaders to establish and maintain public art as a cultural investment for all to learn from and enjoy.

Coming in at just under 2 miles and including 37 different pieces this art walk takes you around the perimeter of the parks on a tour of history through sculpture. This is a moderately sized area that is fairly flat and easy to stroll, with lots of benches to rest on and with 3 Subway stops that give it easy access. As this is in the historic center of the city it is easy to accesses the rest of the city on foot or via public transportation. I highly recommend if you are not familiar, or comfortable with the area, you start at Park Street and go from there. I also recommend looking at a MBTA map and/or using a map app for additional guidance.

Without question weekends are the busiest time to visit this area at any time of year. This is particularly true during long weekends and holidays, but especially during the summer months. Please be patient and prudent, as you travel and art walk.

Thank you so much for your continued interest and support and as always, live creatively and travel safely!

DISCLAIMER I have taken every effort to provide the most accurate information in the content of this website site. You travel at your own risk so travel smart and travel safe. I am not liable for any losses or damage arising from the use of the information on this website nor can I be held responsible for any unforeseen situations that may arise while you are using the information provided. I in no way condone trespassing or the destruction of public or private property. I reserve the right to change and/or update the information as needed.  This project is for individual use only. Publication without permission by creator is strictly prohibited and will be prosecuted. Any and all content included on this site is subject to copyright including written copy, images, graphics and maps.

ART WALK STATS

Map Updated on May 21, 2024

Total Distance: 1 3/4 miles

Estimated Time: 2 hours (depending on how fast you want to go)

Neighborhood: Public Garden/Boston Commons

Closest Subway: 

Park Street – Red Line/Green Line

Boylston Street – Green Line

Arlington – Green Line

Food Options: This Art Walk covered a lot of area and you will wander past a lot of places to score some delicious food. If you’re not sure what you’re looking for I recommend browsing Eater Boston for some ideas.

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ART WORK LIST

Instagram handles and websites included where available

1. “Celebration of the Underground” Lilli Ann K Rosenberg (inside Park Street Station, on the platform.  You can see it from the entry way without having to go onto the platform
2. Park Street Church, 1809.  Across from Park Street Station
3. “Robert Gould Shaw and Massachusetts 54th Regiment Memorial” created by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Installed in 1897, restored in 2021 (in front of State House)
4. “Mary Dyer,” Sylvia Shaw Judson
5. “General Hooker,” Daniel Chester French, 1903
6. “Daniel Webster” by Hiram Powers, 1858
7. “Horace Mann” Emma Stebbins,1865
8. “Anne Hutchinson” by Cyrus Dallin in 1922
9. “John F. Kennedy Jr” by Isabel McIlvain, 1990
10. “Henry Cabot Lodge” by Raymond Averill Porter, 1932 
11. “Entryway mosaic circle and wall mosaics” by Lili Anne and Marvin Rosenberg, 2002 
12. “Frog Mosaic Panels” by Marc Cooper, installed in 2002.  Additional panels around entry way, exterior.  There are multiple. 
13. “Frogs in Common” by David Phillips installed in 2002 (series of six playful frog sculptures installed around the playground and next to the Frog Pond ) 
14. “Boston Founded 1630 Monument” 1930 John Francis Paramino and Charles Coolidge
15. “Make Way For Ducklings” by Nancy Schon. Installed in the Public Garden in 1987
16. “George Robert White Memorial” fountain, AKA “The Angel” created by Daniel Chester French in 1924, restored in 2016. Public Garden 
17. “Ether Monument” A.k.a. “The Good Samaritan” created by John Quincy Adams Ward in 1867, restored in 2006. Public Garden  
18. “Japanese Lantern” created by Unknown in 1587, Installed in Public Garden in 1904
19. “Public Garden Bridge” designed by Clemens Herschel and William G Preston in 1867.
20. “George Washington Statue” by Thomas Bell erected in 1869. Public Garden.  
21. “Small Child” by Mary E Moore, 1929. Public Garden
22. “Boy and Bird” by Baskha Paeff, 1934
23. “Statue of Charles Sumner” by Thomas Ball erected in The Public Garden in 1878
24. “Statuę of Tadeusz Kosciuszko” by Mrs. T. A. R. Kitson. Erected in The Public Garden in 1927 
25. “Statue of Thomas Cass” by Richard E Brooks.  Erected in The Public Garden in 1899
26. “Statue of Wendell Phillips” by Daniel C French.  Erected in The Public Garden in 1915
27. “Bagheeera Fountain” Created by Lilian Swann Saarinen in 1939.  Placed in the Public Garden in 1986.
28. “Triton Babies” Created by Anna Coleman, 1915.  Placed in the Public Garden in 1922
29. “Statue of Edward Hale Everett” by Bela L. Pratt.  Erected in The Public Garden in 1913
30. “Soldiers and Sailors Monument” designed by Martin Milmore, dedicated in 1877 (large sculptural obelisk on top of hill)
31. “The Embrace” designed by Hank Willlis Thomas in collaboration with MASS Design Group
32. “Declaration of independence Memorial” by John Francis Paramino, 1925.  Restored in 1988.
33. “Boston Massacre Monument” designed by Carl Fehmer, dedicated in 1889 (Obelisk).
34. “Edgar Allen Poe Sculpture” by Stephanie Rocknak, 2014
35. “Industry, Religion and Learning” by Arcangelo Cascieri and Adio diBiccari.  Series of three visitor Center Sculptures on Tremont Street between Park Street and Boylston Street Stations.
36. “The Nautilus” by Donald Lipski, 2013.  (On the facade of St. Paul’s Cathedral Church on the Tremont Street side of Boston Common.) 
37. “Brewer Fountain,” by Mathurin Moreau and Alexandre Lambert. Originally installed in Boston Common in 1868, relocated and reinstalled in 1917.

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PHOTO GALLERY

The Public Garden and Boston Common Art Walk map and tour is part of The Art Walk Project © Julia Swanson, 2022. To learn more about it and see other Art Walks please visit my website jscreatesonline.com.