Boston Day 4

Today we had two destinations in mind. First off we took the first tour of the Massachusetts State House (1790s). Its dome is under renovation just now, but that didn't detract from the spectacular stained glass ceiling we could view from the inside. The central hall (Nurses' Hall) has several inspirational sculptures around the edge including one to US Army nurses (of course) and one that is a bust of Mr Ames, of our hotel building fame. We visited the Hall of Flags, where the flags of the towns of Massachusetts are displayed, and found one of Manchester by the Sea, where we will visit in a few days. There is an impressive staircase leading to the upper floor, and apparently after the iron balustrade was cast, the mould was broken so no-one else could use the design. There is a commemorative stained glass window halfway up.

Upstairs we visited the legislative rooms. The House of Representatives has the Sacred Cod hanging in it to remind the members how important the fishing industry was to Massachusetts. The Senate Chamber occupies the space under the gilded dome which is being renovated. Downstairs again we went to see Sheila de Bretteville and Susan Sellers' piece, "HEAR US,"that honours all Massachusetts women who were active in public life from Dorothea Dix to Florence Luscomb. The latter was not only able to vote, but also stood for office four times. Quite an awe inspiring display.



Now we took the T down to The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum.This is the private collection of Mrs. Gardner and is housed in a Venetian Palazzo surrounding a green courtyard. Everything has it's place, according to Mrs. Gardner's wishes who was very precise about how her collection should be displayed. No photographs are allowed. We enjoyed coffee and amazing cakes before we began our visit in the new visitors' centre. They also hold concerts here.

After our visit we 'whizzed' back to town and walked around, stumbling across the delightful tea shop that is David's Tea. Later on we dined at Clink, the lovely restaurant at The Liberty Hotel at the end of Charles St. This used to be one of the town jails, hence the name. Well worth a visit!





Massachusetts State House
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
David's Tea
Clink