Boston is absolutely chockful of excellent museums, as as a resident I’ve even managed to go to a couple of them! This crawl is aimed at those who want a short and relatively low intensity crawl - something to just get them started on a long day of writing, or conversely to just meet their daily word count. For a boost to your word count, visit all the exhibits at the MFA. Enjoy!
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
First up we start with quite a unique little museum, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Famous for an unsolved robbery in the 1990s, founder Gardner’s stipulations have meant that the empty frames are still hanging on the walls. Write 100 words as you contemplate the theft.
The Museum of Fine Arts
The MFA is a vast museum with much to see, but you are low on time and can only pick one collection to visit! Choose one of the galleries below.
Art of the Americas: Write 400 words as you acquaint yourself with Boston history through Copley’s portrait of Paul Revere.
Art of Ancient Egypt, Nubia, and the Near East: Write for fifteen minutes as you admire the statue of King Menkaura and Queen.
Art of Europe: Do a three digit challenge as you visit the thirty-five paintings painted by Claude Monet that are housed in the MFA, the largest such collection outside France.
The Museum of Science
Now we are shifting academic tracks with a visit to the Museum of Science! Spanning the Charles River, this museum houses the Gilliland Observatory and a plethora of animal exhibits. Write to the nearest 500 as you say hi to the triceratops Cliff.
Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum
Immerse yourself in Boston’s history by visiting this interactive museum, where your host Samuel Adams teaches you all about the Boston Tea Party. Write for ten minutes as you throw a parcel of tea overboard into the harbour!
The Boston Children’s Museum
Conclude your tour of Boston’s museums in the nearby Children’s Museum, where you can visit with dinosaurs, explore a construction zone, and make art. Write for fifteen minutes as you wander around the Japanese House.
Bonus: Hood Milk Bottle
Built in 1930 as an advertisement for an ice cream store, the iconic Hood Milk Bottle was donated to the Boston Children’s Museum in 1970 and is currently used as an ice cream stand. Write 50 words as you get a cone for yourself.
It's been a year since my last post and I might have lost my voice a bit. Be gentle with me while I try to get some more writing done and get back to my usual style.
I spent my Paris trip haunting cemeteries, stockpiling museum hours, and drinking wine like it was my job. Solo, unbothered, and off the influencer trail — here's my honest verdict on the city everyone won't shut up about.