Back Bay/Fenway: A Community Effort

In 1976, Kevin H. White, mayor of Boston, said, “A heritage is more than a few great names or places – it is a culture, social history, and, above all, it is people”. After much research and exploration of the Back Bay and Fenway communities, it is evident that this statement still holds true today. We found that the history of these areas were less grounded in academic, popular history and more so in people’s personal relationships with the area. In acknowledging the fallacy of presentism, we know that an understanding of academic history is important, but cannot serve as the sole definition of a community. Based on our personal experience with the people of the two communities, as well as the knowledge gained throughout the course, it has become apparent that history cannot be confined to specific names and dates, but needs to be an overarching representation of the common people. 

Our reasoning for bringing these two communities together is based in the fact that these areas have been linked since their beginnings. Before the historic filling-in of Back Bay, the area was divided into two sections; western and eastern. The western side is what is today known as Fenway, while the Eastern side is the common known area of Back Bay. The documented history of these two areas, while of value to academic historians, is not essential to our understanding of these two communities. As learned throughout the course, history is constructed by the stories that people tell, not just facts. The accounts of the common people as learned from the diary of Martha Ballard, the six testimonials in Hiroshima, and the portrayal of the collective effort in the making of history in Paul Revere’s Ride proves that history is subjective in that it holds a different meaning for every individual. It is a means of self-placement, whether intentional or accidental. Had it not been for Fischer revealing the power of the collective effort of a community, the common people of Paul Revere’s time may have seemed trivial. With this in mind, the accounts collected during the course of this project have remained crucial to our understanding of the specific communities of Back Bay and Fenway. 

In the book, The Fenway: Boston 200 Neighborhood History Series, Henry Adams was quoted as saying, “The history of America is not the history of the few, but the history of the many”. We have accepted the challenge of this statement in attempting to understand and produce the “people’s history” of their own communities. In talking to twelve different people working or residing in Back Bay and Fenway, the places of interest mentioned do not parallel the historic sites as noted in the book Mapping Boston, or the various brochures that dictate the “must sees” found in visitor’s centers throughout Boston.  Carol Meyers, a representative at the visitor’s center in the Prudential Building, in fact claims that a yearly visit to Faneuil Hall has become obligatory, but she herself does not frequent the historical sites to which she guides hundreds of tourists each day. Instead she follows the less beaten path of visiting the world-renowned theatres and Symphony Hall, establishing a different relationship between herself and her city. This once again lends itself to the belief that ones relationship to their community trumps the dry facts found in history books and encyclopedias.

Taking a cue from The Fenway Boston 200 Neighborhood History Series, “Each of us has his or her own story to tell, and these stories are vital to the development of our neighborhoods and our city”. After speaking with residents of these two areas, the validity of this quote has become increasingly clear. Linda MacIver, a research librarian at the Boston Public Library spoke of her own history with the Back Bay area. She mentioned the ever-changing style of living, discussing the constant shift in housing from original single-family homes to multiple resident housing, reverting back to single-family dwellings in the 1990s. Her observation that little rental property is available leads to the belief that people are choosing to stay in these communities longer, which lends to the building of a stronger community in the Back Bay area. Because of this, a close-knit relationship with these areas and their residents is being developed. As seen in Fischer’s account, this belief in a strong community has been an ongoing principle seen even in the days of Paul Revere. As shown through a document written and signed by Paul Revere, even at an early age, the “Boys of Boston” stressed the ideas of private responsibility, public duty, and the powerful idea of community (Fischer 12). A bicyclist on Commonwealth Ave. opened our eyes to the sense of community felt throughout the Fenway/Back Bay area. Tren Liennhee said, “People feel safe walking down the street, there is a welcoming sense of comfort in the area.”

Along with an overwhelming sense of community, several accounts have strengthened our belief that history is constructed by one’s personal relationship with their neighborhood. An interview with Michael Haggardy, the registrar of Berklee School of Music, revealed the most unconventional “relationship” with the Fenway area. Instead of discussing the tourist attraction and big name hot spots, he felt most attached to the more modest, individually owned places. He talked about the “cool little places around Fenway where people could hang out and listen to music”. His favorites included “The Otherside Café, and Looney Tunes Records.” When asked about history, he mentioned the 40’s frat prank that took place on the Mass Ave bridge. No where would this personal bond with the Fenway area be mentioned in traditional history books. Haggardy told us about the changes in the demographic and make up of the Fenway area. He said that Fenway has become “seedier”, and more corporate. Many of the cafes have turned into chains. He misses the laid back culture of Fenway that has been lost with the overall developments. This account has shown us that Fenway residents don’t care about Fenway’s history per se, but how the changes have affected their lives and their relationship with the community. The idea of a personal bond can be seen through another man we found walking his dog down Commonwealth Ave. When asked about the historic significance of his neighborhood, he responded with a very honest opinion, “Everyone says how historic Boston is, but to be honest, it doesn’t matter to me.” The places he found most important were based on personal relevance rather than the fact that they were historic. He noted the Boston Garden because it was a fine place to walk his dog, the restaurants on Newbury because “they’re good”, and Commonwealth Ave. because its simply beautiful. The importance of these places lies in his personal interests in the area rather than their historic and popular nature. This sentiment holds true based on an interview with a mother found in a playground on Commonwealth Ave. To Melissa Norton the most interesting place in the Back Bay/Fenway area is the public playground, a “site” that has been instrumental in creating her own history in the area. She is able to watch her children grow while forming their own relationship with the community.  

By being outside and taking an active role in their community, each person we interviewed exemplified the beliefs of Roy Rosenzweig and David Thelen’s “Presence of the Past”. Having met with Michael Darvish on Commonwealth Ave, we discovered first hand the idea of participatory culture outlined by Rosenzweig and Thelen. He attended Tufts University and returned to Boston for retirement, having moved away in the interim. The fact that he returned emulates the idea of close community ties strong enough to draw him back to his roots in Boston.  Although speaking with twelve different individuals, we draw on only six of the accounts to develop this essay. All twelve of the accounts are examples of the participatory culture. The six accounts mentioned were not more important than the others, they just helped to put forth the idea that both history and these neighborhoods would be nothing without their people. We feel that we at least need to make mention of the other accounts in order to not perpetuate an historical fallacy.

These modern day accounts of personal history have played major roles in our relationship to the past and our understanding of the community. The importance of the common person’s account can be seen in A Midwife’s Tale. Laurel Thatcher Ulrich brings to light the account of Martha Ballard, a common person whom through her own means created a personal history by reaching out and forming a bond with her community. In the epilogue of her book, Ulrich notes the importance of a personal diary as a means of relaying history. She writes, “To celebrate such a life is to acknowledge the power- and the poverty- of written records. Outside her own diary, Martha has no history…without the diary, even her name would be uncertain” (Ulrich 343-344).

We have aligned ourselves with Ulrich and Fischer through the idea that history is “shaped by the choices of individual actors within the context of large cultural processes” (Fischer xv). Though the sampling of residents in the Back Bay and Fenway areas was rather small, we have come to understand it as the truest account of the “public imagination” in regards to the two communities. Marc Bloch’s idea of Long Durée and his belief that history should not be marked by events but rather by the study of the evolution of its people became our inspiration in understanding and approaching history in this unconventional light. In the words of James Carroll, quoted in Gaining Ground, “Boston proves that what makes it American is a shared future, not a common past. The future is nothing if not open, and the past is nothing if it does not teach us that.”

INTERVIEWS

Patricia- Reference Librarian at BPL. 45-50

-Lives in West Roxbury, but has worked at the Boston Public Library for 22 years.

-Went to school in Boston, came back and went to look for a job           

-Neighborhood has become more affluent since first started working here, Back Bay did not used to be so expensive. There are more well to do people, and restaurants in the area now.

- Most interesting places are the library, Commonwealth Avenue. Not a big shopper, so no interest in Newbury Street.

-If giving a tour, would show library, Trinity Church, and the Christian Science center(maparium)

 

Linda MacIver- Reference Librarian at BPL- 70ish.

Much more helpful. Referred great book sources to us.

-Lives at Levret Circle by Storrow Drive

- Finished Degree at Boston University after moving from New Hampshire

- Thinks the neighborhood has become much more upscale, and has converted back to one family ownerships (housing), little rental property to be found.

- Finds the BPL and its courtyard, the public garden and the area between Kenmore and Fenway to be the most interesting.

- Would show, BPL “ where else would they go?”, Commonwealth Ave and the Public Garden

Was very helpful with the history of Back Bay, gave brief account of the land before the fill in (especially the rat problem) and talked about the buildings, and how they have changed from single family dwellings to rental, and back to single family dwellings. Made mention of the student presence in this part of Boston.

 

Melissa Norton- Mother at playground on Commonwealth Ave. 30-35

-Lived in Beacon Hill for 2 ½ years, moved from Allentown Pennsylvania for work in Boston.

-The neighborhood hasn’t changed much since she has lived here.

-People think of Beacon hill as “snobby” and there is a stigma attached. Feels that it is half and half, most of the people are nice and down to earth.

-Most interesting places to her are the public playgrounds, the common and the public garden, and the Commonwealth “mall”

-If giving a tour, would show, the Statehouse , Boston Common area, and USS

Constitution.

 

Lou Kneeland- Mail Carrier on Commonwealth Avenue. 55

-Has lived in South Boston since 1974

-moved to the area because of convenience

- The neighborhood has changed because of gentrification and the influx of career oriented young people.

-Places of interest for him are Comm. Ave, and King Cemetery.

-Would show Newbury, Commonwealth, and the Public Garden

 

 

Anthony Corey- walking dogs on Commonwealth Avenue, 40ish

-       Lived in Back Bay for 5 years

-       Moved to Back Bay because it is beautiful and quiet, yet still in the heart of the city.

-       Has seen a lot of improvements to older buildings

-       Marlborough and Commonwealth Arch are most interesting to him.

-       Would show Newbury St, Comm. Ave and the Public Gardent

-       Says that there is so much history in Boston.

 

No Name (Mr. BMW)- running down street near Northeastern University

-       lived in the area for 40 years, since childhood. Left and came  back

-       Neighborhood has become diverse and international, but racially divided.

-       Most interesting places are Symphony, Charles River, and Harvard

-       Would show Bunker Hill, Harvard yard, and Fenway

 

Carol Meyers- Visitor Services Representative- Prudential Center

-       lived in Boston 20+ years, doesn’t own a car

-       Noticed a change in the congestion, and building projects, becoming extraordinarily expensive

-       Loves MFA and Fenway Park

-       Feels that Faneuil Hall is an obligation, loves Boston Harbor- walking on the water

-       Says that neighborhoods are so diverse, flavor- not a day goes by that she doesn’t learn something new

o   Wonderful wonderful city

o   Because of the metro, city has become smaller

-       World class entertainment.

 

Tren Liennhe- Female bicyclist found taking a break on Commonwealth Ave.

·      60 years old, Move to Boston in 1975

·      When asked what brought her to Boston, she said she moved here because of her husband and because of the great schools

·      She said the area has changed a lot over the years

·      Discussed the lack of markets in the area. There used to be many food markets on the street, now everything has been built up, very commercial.

·      The people of the area has changed: More young people, students living in the area.

·      She mentioned how people feel safe walking around the streets. (Tells a lot about the community: That it is welcoming, sense of comfort in the area).

·      Best places to show on a tour would be: Commonwealth Ave, Charles River, Brookline, Boston Public Library.

 

James Kate: Found at Starbucks in Fenway

·      Working in Fenway for 3 years
Hasn’t seen the area change

·      No gentrification

·      Says area consists of mostly college students, white, and very touristy

·      Places he finds most interesting: Fenway, Newbury Street, Comm Ave.

·      Places to tour: Faneuil Hall, Symphony, State house

 

Michael Haggardy: Found on Mass Ave.

·      27^th year working as the Berklee Registrar

·      Age 55

·      Area of Fenway has gotten a lot better, used to be “seedier”

·      Kenmore used to be considered “a dump”.

·      Talked about cool little places around Fenway where people could hang out and listen to music.

·      Now Fenway has become corporate.

·      All those places have become chains

·      If giving a tour of Fenway, the places he would bring visitors are to Fenway Park, Berklee (to see all the great concerts)

·      the ½ taco place across Fenway (Gourmet tacos). The Otherside Café

·      He remembers a frat prank from the 40’s that took place on the Mass Ave bridge (an example of his history of Fenway)

·      In the 90’s the guy came back and re-did the prank. The Christian Science Center, the Rose Garden in the Fens

·      When we asked him about how Fenway has changed he said that it has become gentrified, he said that its “wonderful to see individually owned establishments”. He told us about the Looney Tunes Record Store, Paul’s restaurant on Mass Ave where students play music, and Southern Kitchen, the most authentic southern cooking restaurant in Fenway.

 

Michael Darvish: 65 year old man. Found walking dog on Commonwealth Ave.

·      He has been living in the Back bay for 5 years

·      Went to school at Tufts, Retirement brought him back to Boston

·      He says the neighborhood of Back Bay hasn’t changed much

·      Most significant places are the Museum of Fine Arts, Symphony Hall, Arch on Commonwealth, Boston Garden, and Commonwealth Ave.

 

Man who wouldn’t give name: Found walking dog on Commonwealth Ave.

·      Looked to be about 35, works on Boylston street.

·      Business brought him to Boston.

·      Said that Back bay has become more yuppy, expensive, and fasterpaced.

·      Places most important to him: Boston Garden and Common because of his dog, the great restaurants in Back bay, Comm Ave, Marlborough

·      When asked about historic sites, he said he could rattle them off, but he never goes. “Everyone says how historic Boston is, but to be honest, it doesn’t matter to me”.

·      Places to show visitors: The garden, Newbury street, and along the Charles River

 

 

Works Cited

Turner, Amy. Mapping Boston. Ed. Alex Kreiger and David Cobb. [Cambridge, Mass: MIT P], 1999.

Sammarco, Anthony M. Images of America Boston's Fenway. Charleston: Arcadia, 2002.

Sammarco, Anthony Mitchell. Images of America - Boston's Back Bay. Dover, New Hampshire: Arcadia, 1997.

Seasholes, Nancy S. Gaining ground a history of landmaking in Boston. Cambridge, Mass: MIT P, 2003.

White/Mayor, Kevin H., and Katharine D. Kane/President of Boston 200 Corporation, comps. The Fenway Boston 200 Neighborhood History Series. Boston: The Boston 200 Corporation, 1976.

Fischer, David Hackett. Paul Revere's Ride. New York: Oxford University Press,

     1994.