02.19.2024

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Today’s Forecast

39º | 1% chance of precipitation |
Sunrise 6:35 a.m. | Sunset 5:20 p.m.

🎵 Happy Washington’s Birthday to you

Learn about the equestrian statue of George Washington in Boston’s Public Garden

A statue of George Washington on horseback, set on a tall pedestal among plants. Behind it, Boston's skyline is visible.

The statue’s official name in the Smithsonian’s archives is “George Washington, (sculpture).” | Photo by Daderot via Wikimedia Commons

It’s Presidents Day — aka Washington’s Birthday — so while the Public Garden undergoes renovations, let’s talk about its iconic George Washington statue.

Where did it come from?

According to the Smithsonian, the sculpture was commissioned in 1859. Most statues in the US at this time were cast in Europe, but commissioners envisioned a piece funded, modeled, and cast in Massachusetts. Charlestown artist Thomas Ball was chosen as its sculptor.

After raising $10,000 towards the statue’s $42,000 price tag at a “Washington Statue Fair,” the public and the City of Boston picked up the rest of the bill. It went up in 1869 with a 13-gun salute.

Who takes care of it?

From time to time (for example, back in May) you may notice scaffolding around the equestrian statue. Since it’s constantly exposed to the elements, it requires constant upkeep.

Daedalus, an art restoration contractor, has been caring for the sculpture since 1984. Friends of the Public Garden also advocate for the sculpture’s care, as well as other renovations — like those currently underway.

Why does it matter?

Boston is a city of firsts: one of the US’s first locally cast sculptures, depicting its first President in its first public botanical garden. Statues like this one remind us of our long history.

At the same time, no one statue tells the whole story of Boston. Last week in the Massachusetts Senate chamber, officials unveiled a bust of Frederick Douglass, whose ideas paved the way for the next century of civil rights. Joining existing statues of Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Abraham Lincoln, the bust of Douglass is the first state-commissioned bust of a Black leader in the State House.

According to Senate President Karen Spilka, it was placed in an alcove left empty for an important figure of color. A committee is being assembled to determine which woman leader will occupy the remaining space.

Events

Monday, Feb. 19

Elizabeth Comen: “All in Her Head” | Monday, Feb. 19 | 7 p.m. | Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St., Brookline | $0-$42 | Reserve your copy of “All in Her Head” and support the Resilient Sisterhood Project at this author talk.
President’s Day Winterfest | Monday, Feb. 19 | 1-7 p.m. | Hancock-Adams Common, 1305 Hancock St., Quincy | Free | A green screen selfie booth, fire-juggling performances, and ice sculpture demonstrations await at Hancock-Adams Common.

Tuesday, Feb. 20

Frost Fit 2024: Tuesday Dance/Zumba with Life Time Athletic | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 4-4:45 p.m. | Fiedler Field, Charles River Esplanade, Boston | Free | Follow dance moves from around the globe like salsa, merengue, belly dancing.
Sci-Fi Book Club for the Curious | Tuesday, Feb. 20 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston | Free | Join the Museum of Science for a science fiction book club for adults to discuss “Infinity Gate” by M.R. Carey.

Wednesday, Feb. 21

Queer Knitting | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Lamplighter Broadway, 284 Broadway, Cambridge | Free | Grab a brew and head to the brewery’s back taproom for a knitting circle hosted by Boston Queer Fiber Arts.
Trivia in the Main Bar | Wednesday, Feb. 21 | Times vary | PKL, 64 C St., Boston | Price of purchase | Reserve your spot for multi-round trivia that could earn you a $50 or $25 gift card.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Today Is

Presidents Day. A majority of schools, banks, and government offices are closed today. City-wide waste collection will be affected based on your address.

Development

The Boston Planning and Development Agency approved a construction of an 11-story lab building at 1400 Boylston St. Led by Samuels & Associates, the $600 million project comes alongside an agreement to provide $18 million towards income-restricted housing. (Boston Business Journal)

Biz

Two Boston employers modified their return-to-office mandates for this year. Fidelity Investments is requiring employees to come to the office two out of every four weeks, while Deutsche Bank AG forbids staff members to come in Monday if they worked from home Friday. (Boston Globe)

Traffic

MassDOT added a plan to “ground” McGrath Highway to its long-term project budget. The $150 million project would involve demolishing viaduct between East Somerville and East Cambridge and adding a boulevard, sidewalks, green space, and separated bike lanes. (WBUR)

Ranked

Five Boston hotels received five stars in the 2024 Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards: Boston Harbor Hotel, Encore Boston Harbor, Four Seasons Boston, Four Seasons One Dalton Street, and Mandarin Oriental Boston. Three hotels and resorts on Cape Cod also made the list. (Boston Globe)

Listen

Here’s a challenge: make a local Boston musician your most played artist in 2024. WBUR’s “Sound On” series lists 24 rising stars for you to play, save, and repeat. (WBUR)

The Buy

The Buy 2.19.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

A stylish new collar or leash from Six & Main’s collection for your dog to sport during their favorite time of day (walk time).

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Dayten

From the editor

WBUR’s “Sound On” list includes Sidney Gish, whose work I’ve been following since 2020 and is definitely worth a listen if you haven’t had the chance. “Presumably Dead Arm (617 Sessions)” is an all-time favorite.

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