365 Things to Do in Boston - New Tips Daily

#122 Tour the Boston Public Library

Posted by Michael DiMella on Wed, Aug 25, 2010

Boston Public Library CourtyardOh yay...it's raining once again, for the third day in a row. I suppose this would be a good day to take it indoors...maybe grab a book at the Boston Public Library....Founded in 1848, the Boston Public Library was the first large free municipal library in the US. In addition to its 6.1 million books, the library boasts over 1.2 million rare books and manuscripts, a wealth of maps, musical scores and prints.

Visit Bates Hall (known as one of the most important rooms in the world with barrel-arched ceilings enclosed by half domes on each end and English oak bookcases)

The Chavannes Gallery:
Murals painted by renowned French artist Pierre Puvis de Chavannes

The Abbey Room:
Murals entitled the "Quest of the Holy Grail" and I don't think they are Monty Python murals...although that would be quite entertaining.

The Sargent Gallery:
See murals painted by John Singer Sargent

And don't forget to grab some lunch at the Courtyard Restaurant  and then actually walk through the Courtyard. It's absolutely breathtaking.