January 8, 2016

Yesterday and today we have been in Boston for a short getaway.  After a brief visit to the Apple store with directions to do a factory restore so that diagnostics can be done on the ipad, we get there and were told that they can't do diagnostics because all the software is not on it.  To make matters worse, an error message comes when I try to restore it back to Tuesday.  Grr.

Anyway on to Boston.  Our plans were to visit the Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, and the State House Building...the 29th.  We checked in to the Constitution Inn and then walked through the Charlestown Navy Yard and across the bridge to the North Station.  Time to acclimate to subway transportation again.  Our first ride was to the Charlie store to get our Senior Charlie cards.  Half price is always good.  About the only better deal is Christmas wrapping paper after Christmas...at 90% off.  We headed up to the street and walked to the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Alice remembered a place where we had "dined" before.  We used to take students to Boston for a class trip.  You don't suppose they thought we were.....

Today we walked again to North Station area and followed the double brick line.

We jumped on the green line and were headed to the State House. The dome has already been recovered in Gold leaf.

 The Rotunda was really amazing.  The center is adorned with the state seals of the original 13 colonies with MA in the center.

 This part of the building is not original.  The Great Hall was added in 1990.  Because it tended to echo a 

lot they added the adopted flags of the 351 cities and towns (some haven't yet) to make it more quiet.

In the center, hanging from above is a piece of artwork representing some of the most famous icons in Mass history.

 Governor Butler, who was elected for a one year term was not re-elected.  He was governor of Massachusetts in 1883 and 1884. Butler, who fought for the North in the Civil War, was apparently disturbed not to find a Bible in the governor's office when he arrived, so when he departed, he left behind a copy, which he inscribed as a "needed transmittendum to my successor in office to be read by him and his successor each in turn.''  The bible has continued to be passed on to each successor.

The senate chamber has seats for the 40 members.  It appears that the seats are numerically assigned by district number.  The seats are either raised or lowered so that each member can see each other eye to eye.

 On the desk were copies of current legislative proposals with related ones bound with red ribbon.  Could this have been the beginnings of the term red tape?

 The Senate chamber had busts of former Presidents however, General LaFayette was a French General during the American Revolution.  He wanted to be buried in American Soil.  see story. LaFayette

Onward to the Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.  When we arrived at the Library, the area had gone through much growth since Tom's last visit to the area. Among new growth is added UMass buildings and the Edward M Kennedy Institute.  Kennedy Institute

 Once inside the Presidential Library, we were greeted by someone who looked youthful enough to be an intern. Actually she was a former student who now is employed by the Library (National Archives).  We were treated to a behind the scenes tour featuring items not seen by the general public.

One item was a mural that once was displayed in the White House Pool. The pool is now the Brady Press Briefing Room in the White House.  A link to the Pool story and Mural follows. Mural 
The Mural now is housed in the Library.

 A Sailfish caught by John Kennedy in 1953.  The sailfish pictured below was a gift from Jackie to JFK to commemorate the one he caught on his honeymoon.

 Articles from Ernest Hemingway's home in Cuba that are now  located in Boston in the Ernest Hemingway Research Room.

Grammie in front of a print of the original youthful Hemingway.

Ever hear of the "Hotline?  The next 2 pics are components of the Red Phone that you might have imagined.

After our special tour, we said goodbye to Laurie and continued with 2 freshly printed tickets to the rest of the Museum. Thanks Laurie, a great treat. 

A big piece of the Berlin Wall.  Through the efforts of Jean Kennedy Smith, this piece of the wall was acquired from the German government in 1990 and was installed in the Library in 1993.

A subway back to Downtown Crossing, a walk to Faneuil Hall and across the street to Quincy Market food...and a dessert.
And tomorrow...a trip to the New England Quilt Museum...and Tom left his golf clubs home.  Thanks for keeping an eye out for Grammie.