Small, brick-sized bronze reliefs installed on Winthrop Lane in downtown Boston, Massachusetts, define the Boston Bricks landmark. Each piece features a whimsical moment depicting an element of Boston history and culture, highlighting the incredibly simple but powerful and imaginative ways that landmarks can create engagement with audiences of all types.
Commemorating Boston History
Named after John Winthrop, who was among the first wave of American colonists and delivered the “City upon a Hill” sermon, Winthrop Lane is nestled into one of the most historic areas of Boston, residing near The Winthrop Building and just a few blocks from the Old South Meeting House, where the Boston Tea Party took place. The Boston Bricks celebrate much of this history but also of the culture that cuts across multiple eras.
Created by Kate Burke and Gregg Lefevre, over 100 brick reliefs commemorate especially key events for Boston. A few of the events depicted include the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Marathon, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Underground Railroad, Paul Revere and many more people, places and events that define the city.
Slightly raised from the ground, the markers resonate with tourists and residents alike and have been able to spur additional engagement with both sets of audiences. They serve as agents of discovery and imagination that compel engagement on a whole new level.
A Unique Way to Celebrate Legacy
Countless tour guides recommend making Winthrop Lane part of visitors’ travels, pausing to appreciate a different tablet each time, highlighting the engagement such landmarks can compel. Mentioned as a hidden gem in the city, what might otherwise be another innocuous alley has instead become a place for residents and visitors to celebrate the legacy of the city and region.
