Paula Andreottola: A Museum Volunteer’s West End MemoriesBy Tim Larson The warmth of Paula Andreottola’s brownstone apartment stands in stark contrast to the frigid winter air along the Back Bay sidewalk. Paula is a thin, friendly woman with light grey hair. She’s funny and easy to talk to. Inside her neat apartment, a bright hallway…
Beneath the Wrecking Ball: A West End Landlord Depicting the buildings and architecture of the West End just prior to demolition under urban renewal and conveying the perspective of a property owner, Beneath the Wrecking Ball: A West End Landlord features photographs from a collection donated to the Museum by Ira Tarlin. Ira’s father, Eli, owned and…
Boston’s 1st Urban Renewal – New York Streets At West End MuseumNorth End Waterfront From February 21 through Fall 2017, The West End Museum hosts The New York Streets: Boston’s First Urban Renewal Project, a new exhibit that tells the story of this lost ‘sister’ community. At the opening reception—February 21, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.—attendees can tour…
Exhibit Explores a Demolished South End NeighborhoodBoston Guardian The demolition and partial rebirth of the New York Streets neighborhood comes alive at the West End Museum in an exhibit that challenges how city government shaped Boston’s growth. Organized by curator Duane Lucia, “The New York Streets: Boston’s First Urban Renewal Project” uses photographs…
Before the West End Came the New York StreetsPost-Gazette Prior to the demolition of Boston’s old West End, another vibrant, multi-ethnic neighborhood of tenement houses and mom-and-pop shops fell victim to so-called “urban renewal.” From February 21st through fall 2017, the West End Museum hosts The New York Streets: Boston’s First Urban Renewal Project, a…
February 2017 Newsletter Dear Friend of The West End Museum, We hope this edition of our newsletter finds you well and that you’re all staying warm. Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted six more weeks of winter, but things are definitely warming up at The West End Museum! In this newsletter, we … Share two articles…
The West End I Remember: And What I Later Learned Happened to ItBy James Armstrong I write this as a mature—even old, by most measures—man recalling vivid memories of walking through Boston’s West End in my youth. I am relying only on my recall as I write. I’m afraid that if I refresh my memory…
Before the West End Came the New York Streets: New Exhibit Reveals Boston’s First Urban Renewal Project Boston, MA—Prior to the demolition of Boston’s old West End, another vibrant, multi-ethnic neighborhood of tenement houses and mom-and-pop shops fell victim to so-called ‘urban renewal.’ From February 21 through Fall 2017, The West End Museum hosts The…
Celebrating the HolidaysBeacon Hill Times The West End Civic Association (WECA) held its annual holiday gathering on Thursday, Dec. 8. Members and their guests met in the West End Museum to enjoy good company, food and beverages. They heard from 2016 President Sean Michael Connolly, who presented an overview the organization’s mission and accomplishments and…
Saturday Evening GirlsBy Susan Minichiello The story of the Saturday Evening Girls (SEG) is a compelling tale of female empowerment that dates back to an age when life offered women limited opportunities. The women who founded and became members of the SEG—many of them immigrants of Jewish and Italian heritage—strengthened one another’s lives through socialization,…