BostonZest

Abigail Adams Feels Like a Neighbor (Part Two)

Abigail Adams feels like a neighbor! Her 18th Century influence still resonates loudly throughout the Boston of today.

She’s alive in the hundreds of letters she shared with John Adams.
Abigail Adams was an early proponent of a woman’s right to property and education. She opposed slavery.

Her many connections to Boston are all around us, if you know where to look.

Today, we’ll tell you about Abigail Adams’ strong beliefs and her Boston home.

Brattle Square Home
Some of Abigail’s letters to John were written from the heart of Boston. From 1768 to 1771 they lived where Boston City Hall stands today. According to information on the tour sites organized by the Boston Women’s Heritage Trail, the family lived in two locations in and near what was then Brattle Square.

A Voice Ahead of Her Time
Abigail Adams is an important figure in women’s history. She spoke out for women to have property rights and the right to education. She was self-educated but said, “If we mean to have heroes, statesmen and philosophers, we should have learned women.”

 

It’s fitting that Abigail stands gazing in the direction of the poet and slave, Phyllis Wheatley, on the Women's Memorial. Abigail opposed slavery saying, “I wish most sincerely there was not a slave in this province. It always appeared a most iniquitous scheme to me— to fight ourselves for what we are daily robbing and plundering from those who have as good a right to freedom as we have.”

One supporter of the Boston Women’s Memorial said, "Daughters in the Back Bay will no longer have to ask, 'Where are the women?' They can now visit them every day." Since the memorial was dedicated in 2003, Abigail Adams has become a more visible part of our historic community. Men and women from Boston and around the world have learned more about this woman, her words and her connections to Boston.

Yesterday, in PART ONE, we pointed out some of the obvious, and not so obvious, places you’ll find Abigail Adams.

Related Post:
Get to Know the Boston Women’s Memorial

Learn more about the fascinating lives of John & Abigail Adams...

  

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Adapted from Penny’s “Abigail Adams’ Boston Connections” article in the Back Bay Sun
Photography: © 2009 Penny Cherubino

Abigail Adams Feels Like a Neighbor (Part One)

Abigail Adams feels like a neighbor! Her 18th Century influence still resonates loudly throughout the Boston of today.

 
She’s alive in the hundreds of letters she shared with John Adams. Abigail Adams was an early proponent of a woman’s right to property and education. She opposed slavery.
 
Her many connections to Boston are all around us, if you know where to look.

Today, Penny points out some of the obvious, and not so obvious, places you’ll find Abigail Adams.

Arms crossed in a relaxed but confident pose, Abigail Adams leans against a pedestal covered with her words. Words, written over a lifetime, connect her to places around Boston.

Her presence, as one of three women represented on the Boston Women’s Memorial on Commonwealth Avenue Mall, is one of her links to Boston. Within half a mile of this statue are millions of words, thousands of books, and a quarter million papers that belonged to the Adams family.

John Adams Library
Since 1884, the Boston Public Library in Copley Square has been the home of the John Adams Library. While this collection bears her husband’s name, it was part of Abigail Adams’ life. She read these books and referred to them in her letters.

“She protected the books,” said Beth Prindle, curator of the John Adams Library. “During the Revolutionary War, when she was worried that British soldiers might reach Quincy, she sent the books to John’s brother in Randolph.”

Prindle shared a favorite story about the family’s love of books. John Adams was away and wrote to Abigail saying he wanted to send a gift to their children. Abigail replied, “I called them seperately (sic) and told them Pappa wanted to send them something and requested of them what they would have. A book was the answer of them all.”

 
The Adams Family Papers
That letter about the gift is in the archive of the “Adams Family Papers.” The collection is housed half a mile from The Boston Women’s Memorial at the Massachusetts Historical Society on Boylston Street. Many items are available online at The Massachusetts Historical Society.

Today historians know of more than 1,000 letters between John and Abigail Adams. “If they had done nothing but write the letters they wrote, they would be people we would want to know about, quite apart from all they accomplished,” said Adams biographer David McCullough in an NBC interview.

Prindle said she almost regrets the times when Abigail and John Adams were together, because then the correspondence between them stops.

Tomorrow, more about Abigail Adams’ strong beliefs and her Boston home.

Related Post:
Get to Know the Boston Women’s Memorial

Learn more about the lives of John & Abigail Adams...

    

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Adapted from Penny’s “Abigail Adams’ Boston Connections” article in the Back Bay Sun
Photography: © 2009 Penny Cherubino

A Spaniel Fit for a King

Okay, I admit it. I definitely have a weakness for spaniels, especially the Cavalier King Charles variety. In my defense, your lordship, I submit to the court today’s Sunday Dog– Lilly.

This 2-year-old cutey came right up to me the other day and introduced herself. Lily is very affectionate and could teach a class in snuggling (if there is such a thing).

 
Look at that face! Pure concentration as she waits patiently and obediently for a cookie.

Lily is quite the athlete. She loves to run and is a great swimmer! We were told she has a marked preference for smaller rather than larger dogs– although with her sweet personality, I think she could win over any creature.


While Lily cleans-up the last morsel of her cookie, if it please the court, I hereby shamelessly invite everyone in attendance to get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

The defense rests.

Learn more about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Here

Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2010 Penny Cherubino

Beacon Hill Balcony Gardener

 

"Gardens are a form of autobiography." Sydney Eddison, Horticulture magazine

Thank you to all the gardeners who plant the front yards, window boxes, and balconies– giving pleasure to those who walk by their homes.

Start all your Amazon Shopping from here to keep BostonZest coming your way. 

Details:

Words: Ed & Penny Cherubino

Photo: ©2010 Penny Cherubino

City Council Hearing on Food Trucks on Tuesday

If you want more food truck and mobile food cart options in Boston, go to City Hall on Tuesday for a City Council hearing on food trucks.

Our Friday link today is to an interview I did for Serious Eats with City Council President, Mike Ross about street food. Click over on the link below and read what he had to say.

Growing Support for Street Food in Boston

Can't make the hearing? You can send your testimony by email or letter.

Hearing: Boston City Hall, 5th Floor, Tuesday, August 31 at 2:30 p.m.

Email: [email protected]

Fax, call or write:

Office of City Councilor Michael P. Ross
Boston City Council
One City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
P: 617-635-4225
F: 617-635-4203

Details:
Words: Penny  Cherubino
Photography: © 2010 Penny Cherubino

Dream Dog Destination (Part Two)

If you’re planning a vacation and want to take along your best friend (woof), there’s an award-winning dream dog destination right here in Massachusetts.

America’s most dog-friendly location is easily accessible from Boston, and there’s lots to do together, when you get there!

Today: Some tips on what you can do together and where to stay in P-Town...

Out For A Little Cruise

Boat Dogs
If your pooch doesn’t have a problem with motion sickness and is good in crowded places, you could add some boating to your adventure. The whale watch boats of the Dolphin Fleet welcome well-behaved dogs. For a more subdued sea outing, enjoy a sunset sail aboard the schooner Bay Lady II.

Share a National Treasure
Since the 1950s, 27,000 acres of dunes, beaches, marshland, and forest have been preserved as the Cape Cod National Seashore. The park has a brochure (available online) that lets you know where pets are and are not allowed. For example, pets are not permitted on lifeguard protected beaches, but you may pass through these areas to reach a spot beyond them. Some trails are posted “no dogs,” but you can stroll all the fire roads with a leash in hand.

Even if you and your dog are extremely fit, climbing up and down towering sand dunes is a challenging work out. You’ll have a tired dog for the trip home or one that’s ready to sleep while you go out to dinner.

A Day at the Beach

Want to stay?
Inns, B&Bs, hotels and apartment complexes that welcome dogs are also easier to find in Provincetown than in other seaside locations. The site www.Ptown.org lets you check off “pet friendly” when you search for lodgings. They even list last minute availability and specials that help you find the best deal.

One of the places that will pop up on that list is Aerie House. This destination has been a favorite place to stay for the little Westie in my family. Aerie is a special place, and reservations can be hard to get. Plan ahead or try it for a night or two, when you find an opening.

Provincetown means quality time with your dog. Plan a dog-centric getaway for a day, a weekend, or longer. P-Town is a perfect place for making happy memories with your canine pal.

Yesterday, in PART ONE, we talked about how to get to this Cape Cod mecca, and what to expect when you and your pooch arrive...

Links:

Provincetown Dog Park

Aerie House

Provincetown Chamber of Commerce

Boston Harbor Cruises/Provincetown

Bay State Cruise Company/Provincetown

Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown

Schooner Bay Lady II

Related Posts:

Here’s what we've written about one of our favorite destinations, Provincetown

Traveling with a pup? Here are a couple of items to make the journey safer for both of you.

     

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Adapted from Penny’s “City Paws” column in the papers of the Independent Newspaper Group
Photography: © 2009 Penny Cherubino

Dream Dog Destination (Part One)

If you’re planning a vacation and want to take along your best friend (woof!), there’s an award-winning dream dog destination right here in Massachusetts.

America’s most dog-friendly location is easily accessible from Boston, and there’s lots to do together, when you get there!

That Must Be It Up Ahead

Today: how to get to this Cape Cod mecca and what to expect when you and your pooch arrive...

You and your pup can experience the joy of being welcomed with open arms by just hopping on a ferry in Boston Harbor, and sailing to a destination that has always been a popular getaway spot for Bostonians.

Dog Fancy magazine has announced that Provincetown is “the winner of the 2010 DogTown USA competition, saluting it as America’s most dog-friendly city.”

Both Boston Harbor Cruises and Bay State Cruise Company operate pet-friendly ferry service from Boston to P-Town. While many Bostonians drive to this town at lands end, it’s a plus that families with dogs can get there via public transportation.

Once there, town beaches are dog friendly. Some local restaurants have succeeded in gaining permission for legal dog seating on their patios. And, there’s a great dog park. “Provincetown nearly swept our major awards this year, with its Pilgrim Bark Park finishing at No. 2 in our national ratings of dog parks," said Ernie Slone, Dog Fancy editor.

A Bark Park Hello Sniff...

Dogs Welcome
This historic haven for artists, writers, and free-thinkers is well known for its acceptance of all lifestyles– gay, straight, and families that include dogs. “All dog owners know of a few local shops or restaurants that allow dogs, but it is remarkable to have an entire town where virtually every establishment opens its doors to dogs – even the bank,” said Slone. From hardware stores to art galleries, jewelry stores to coffee shops, dogs don’t have to wait outside in Provincetown.

Tomorrow: Tips on what you and your pup can do together and where to stay in P-Town...

Links:

Provincetown Dog Park

Aerie House

Provincetown Chamber of Commerce

Boston Harbor Cruises/Provincetown

Bay State Cruise Company/Provincetown

Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown

Schooner Bay Lady II

Related Posts:

Here’s what we written about one of our favorite destinations, Provincetown

Traveling with a pup? Here are a couple of items to make the journey safer for both of you.

  

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Adapted from Penny’s “City Paws” column in the papers of the Independent Newspaper Group
Photography: © 2009 Penny Cherubino