The Boston Museum facts for kids
The Boston Museum was a plan for a new history museum in the city of Boston, Massachusetts. It was going to be called "BoMu" for short. Sadly, the museum was never built.
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What the Museum Was About
The Boston Museum wanted to show off Boston's 400-year history. It aimed to inspire people living in Boston and visitors from all over the world. They hoped people would explore Boston's rich past, famous places, and cultural spots.
The plan was for a huge museum, about 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m2) big. It would also have a marketplace. There were even ideas for a low bridge for people to walk on. This bridge would lead to the museum and connect different parts of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway.
The museum would have had five main exhibit areas. There would also be a special gallery for traveling exhibits from other places. Plans included a theater, learning spaces, a "City Room," a market on the ground floor, and a green roof.
Learning and Education
The Boston Museum wanted to make Boston a "living classroom." It planned to work with other historical sites and cultural groups. They would share ideas and create new programs for teachers and students. The museum also hoped to reach people across the country using online tools and new technology.
The museum aimed to be a great learning experience for everyone. Its exhibits would have used many different ways to engage families, kids, and adults. Most importantly, the stories would have felt personal. Visitors might have learned about their ancestors arriving in Boston or felt a connection to the city's history.
Where It Would Have Been
The museum was planned for a spot called Parcel 9 in Downtown Boston. This area is right next to the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Faneuil Hall, and the Quincy Market. It was also near the Haymarket area.
The Boston Museum also planned to build a walking bridge on Parcel 12. This bridge would have directly connected the Greenway to the museum. In October 2005, the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority chose the museum project to develop Parcel 12.
How It Was Designed
The building was first planned by Moshe Safdie and Associates. It was expected to cost about $124 million. This design included exhibit galleries, theaters, and rooms for education and meetings. There would also be a large hall for public gatherings and a grand walkway. The building would have had restaurants, an information center, and green outdoor spaces.
However, this first design changed. Building over two highway ramps would have been too expensive. So, the Boston Museum project looked for permission to build a smaller project on Parcel 9, near "The Haymarket." Parcel 12 would then have been used for a cool-looking bridge. This bridge would lead people to the museum or towards North Station. Later, Cambridge Seven Associates was chosen to design the new plan.
Main Exhibit Areas
The museum planned to have several exciting main galleries:
- Place Over Time would have shown how Massachusetts changed over time, both naturally and economically.
- Conscience and Confrontation would have explored times when there were big political arguments in Massachusetts. These often led to major changes across the nation and the world.
- People of the Bay would have looked at all the different groups of people who have lived in this region. This included native peoples and the newest immigrants. It would show how they built their lives, families, and communities.
- Innovation Odyssey would have focused on the many new ideas and "firsts" that came from this region. These ideas spread globally, like freedom, ending slavery, and improving education and healthcare. It also covered the start of the Industrial Revolution and the Information Age.
- Sports Town was designed to attract visitors who might not usually go to museums. They would be drawn in by their love for sports. Massachusetts had many "firsts" in sports history.
Why It Didn't Happen
In November 2012, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said no to the Boston Museum's plan. They rejected its bid to develop Parcel 9. This land was next to the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway and was created by the Big Dig highway project.
In January 2013, the people in charge of the Boston Museum decided to stop trying to build it. They also decided to close down their organization.
People Who Helped
Many people were involved in trying to make the Boston Museum a reality. This included a board of directors, a national advisory committee, and various project consultants. These groups were made up of leaders from business, education, history, and the arts. They all worked hard to plan and promote the museum.
