Hatch Memorial Shell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Hatch Memorial Shell

The Boston Pops performing at the Hatch Shell on July 4, 2005
Former names	Edward A. Hatch Memorial Shell
Location	Boston, Massachusetts
Coordinates	42°21′26″N 71°04′25″W / 42.357311°N 71.073687°W / 42.357311; -71.073687
Owner	Department of Conservation and Recreation
Type	Outdoor amphitheater
Seating type	open
Capacity	10,000
Opened	1928 (1928)

The Hatch Shell on a foggy night following Independence Day festivities in 2023

The Edward A. Hatch Memorial Shell, often called the Hatch Shell, is a famous outdoor stage in Boston, Massachusetts. It's located by the Charles River Esplanade in the city's Back Bay area. This cool building was finished in 1940 and is a great example of Art Deco style.

Many people know the Hatch Shell because the Boston Pops orchestra plays there every year. They perform for Boston's big Fourth of July celebration. But it's also used for many free concerts and events during the summer. The grassy area in front of the stage doesn't have seats, so people bring blankets or chairs. There's also a special memorial nearby for Arthur Fiedler, who was the first main conductor of the Boston Pops.

What's in a Name?

The Hatch Shell is named after Edward Hatch. His family had lived in Massachusetts for a long time and made a lot of money from trading with other countries. Edward Hatch passed away in 1910. His sister, Maria, passed away in 1926 and left a large part of her money in a special fund. This money was meant to create "a park, playground or memorial" in or near Boston. It was supposed to be a beautiful place open to the public.

The person in charge of Maria Hatch's money passed away before the plan could be finished. So, the money and its purpose were forgotten until 1936. That's when Massachusetts Attorney General Paul A. Dever found the trust. New people were chosen to manage the money. They decided that building a permanent concert stage on the Charles River Esplanade would be the perfect way to use the money.

A Look at Its History

Early Stages of the Shell

The very first stage was made of wood and built in 1928. It was only meant to be temporary, as everyone hoped a permanent one would be built soon. The Boston Pops Orchestra played its first concert there on July 4, 1929, with Arthur Fiedler leading the music. A second temporary stage, this time made of metal, was built in 1934.

Building the Permanent Hatch Shell

The permanent Hatch Shell was designed by an architect named Richard J. Shaw. It was officially opened on July 2, 1940. Before its 50th birthday in 1991, the shell got a big makeover. It was repaired and its sound system was updated by a Boston architecture company. A skilled craftsman from Boston, Howard Brickman, even rebuilt the detailed wood panels inside the shell by hand.

A large bronze statue of George S. Patton stands nearby. It was made by James Earle Fraser. This statue remembers when General Patton gave a speech at the site on June 7, 1945. About 20,000 people came to hear him speak.

Modern Uses and Updates

Today, the Hatch Shell is used for many different things. You can find concerts, outdoor movie showings, and speeches there. It's also a meeting place for big events, like the AIDS Walk Boston and the Larry Kessler 5K Run. The grassy area in front is a popular spot for picnics, playing casual sports, and sunbathing, just like other parks in the city.

The Hatch Shell had a major renovation in 2018. This was the first big update since 1989. The outside panels of the shell were replaced. To do this, workers had to use a laser to scan the shell. Then, they made 673 separate panels in 93 different shapes to fit perfectly.

How the Hatch Shell Looks

The Hatch Shell is built with a wood frame. It has a large, curved opening that is about 40 feet (12 meters) high and 110 feet (33.5 meters) wide. In front of this opening is a stone platform with stairs. This platform makes the structure about 160 feet (49 meters) wide.

On the front of this platform, you can see the names of famous composers carved into the stone. The outside of the shell is covered in terrazzo tile, which is a mix of chips of marble, quartz, granite, or glass. The inside is finished with wood. The floor inside the shell has steps that curve in a half-circle shape. Around the outside of the shell, there's a flat-roof building. This building holds dressing rooms and storage areas for performers.