5 Reasons to Attend Our Public Garden Lecture

On February 4, the Friends will present, "Searching for the Histories of Boston's Public Garden," a lecture by Boston University Professor Keith N. Morgan. It will be a fascinating exploration of the origin of America's first public botanical garden, the changes it has gone through, and the importance of the garden and its contents today. Need more convincing? Here are five reasons you should attend Keith Morgan's lecture:

1. There is much more to the history of Boston's Public Garden than you might think.
   Did you know that the beautiful botanical garden almost didn't exist? The space was nearly approved for residential buildings.
2. The pictures you have taken of the trees, ducklings, bridge, and plantings are, well, more than just pretty pictures.
   Learn stories behind of some of Boston's most photographed scenes, like the famous books and art inspired by the Public Garden, including Robert McCloskey famous children's book "Make Way for Ducklings" and Maurice Prendergast's immense collection of sketches of the Public Garden.
3. Hear about this journey of this historic place through time from a passionate historian.
   The bridge we now love was criticized when it was first built, Henry James calling it "exaggerated."
4. Was the Public Garden under water before it was the Public Garden?
   View historical maps to find out what Boston looked like as the Public Garden came to be. Hint: The stories of finding shells beneath the surface are no urban legend!
5. This lecture is great way to be entertained while learning about the historic city of Boston, and celebrating one of its prized gems - the one, the only, the original Public Garden.
   Keith N. Morgan has He has over 30 years of experience teaching History of Art and Architecture at Boston University. He has served as the Director of Preservation Studies, the Director of American and New England Studies, and the Chairman of the Art History Department. He is a former national president of the Society of Architectural Historians, as well as a noted author of various publications on art and architecture.

Reserve your ticket today!