The Hatch Shell |  |
Send to Friend
Write Review
Report Error
Historic Landmarks| Official Website: The Hatch Shell Location: Storrow Drive, Boston, MA map In/Outdoor: Outdoor Cost: Free |
Others to Consider: Boston State House, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Castle Island and Fort Independence, Fenway Park Tours, Bunker Hill MonumentThe Hatch Shell is an outdoor concert venue adjacent to the Charles River Esplanade near downtown Boston. The Hatch Shell is best known for hosting the Boston Pops Orchestra annually for the Boston Fourth of July celebration, but is also used for free concerts most weekends and many weeknights during the summer months. The grass pavilion in front of the stage has no permanent seating. There is a memorial to Arthur Fiedler, first permanent conductor of the Pops, nearby.
The original shell was built in 1928 as a temporary venue for the Pops with expectations of construction of a permanent structure in the near future. Owing to sparse funding throughout the Great Depression, construction of a permanent Hatch Shell was delayed until 1941. In preparation for its 50th anniversary in 1991, it underwent significant renovation and repair along with modernization of its acoustics. Bostonian Howard Brickman, a master craftsman specializing in wood floors, re-created the intricate interior paneling of the shell by hand.
Other uses of the Hatch Shell include movie showings and political speeches, and it is used as a meeting place for large events, such as the AIDS Walk. The grass pavilion is used for picnics, casual sports, and sunbathing in a manner typical of urban parks.
 Related Links |  Top |
- Profiles
- Localities
- Events
- Hatch Shell Events 2009, 4/25/09-10/4/09
| We make best efforts to update information, but it changes frequently, so we cannot warrant it. Please call to check The Hatch Shell schedules, fees, and directions before making the trek. We help you, please help us. Report an Error if you find one. |
