October 26, 2026
Explore how historic maps, photographs, plans, and municipal records document Back Bay’s transformation from tidal flats into a planned neighborhood. A focused source-reading approach connects dated evidence to specific places, including Copley Square and Commonwealth Avenue.
October 10, 2026
This guide introduces a building-by-building approach to documenting Boston’s Back Bay landmarks, connecting architectural details to dated records and photographs. It uses Commonwealth Avenue and H. H. Richardson’s work as starting points for examining how streets, architects, and primary sources shape neighborhood history.
September 22, 2026
A concise set of explainers on the Back Bay's formative eras, from Mid-19th century landfill development to the H. H. Richardson-era skyline. Each entry highlights dates, hallmark characteristics, and recommended primary-source avenues for deeper study.