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The Hatch Shell is Boston's epicenter for large outdoor performances and open-air events. Classical, local and international, oldies, blues, jazz, and rock and roll performances are held here from spring through fall. The most notable event happens every July 4th, as Keith Lockhart conducts the Boston Pops during Boston's Independence Day celebration. A patriotic score, including Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, accompanies a grand finale display of blazing fireworks over the Charles River.
In 1893, the Massachusetts state legislature established the Metropolitan Park Commission. At that time, the last nine miles of the Charles River (from Watertown to Boston Harbor) was still a tidal firth.
In 1910, the Charles River Dam was completed, creating the freshwater Charles River Basin. The newly landscaped banks of the river became know as the Charles River Esplanade.
The Esplanade went through a vast expansion beginning in 1928, which widened and lengthened the park land. The improvements were aided by a one million dollar donation from Helen Osbourne Storrow, in memory of her husband James. (Today, the route which runs alongside the Esplanade, Storrow Drive, honors their name.)
During this expansion, the first lagoon was built, as well as the Music Oval, where a temporary concert shell was placed. Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops first performed on the Esplanade during the summer of 1929. The new music shell was built in 1941 with a $300,000 trust, donated by benefactor Maria Hatch, as a memorial for her late brother, Edward.
Another major change to the Esplanade began in 1949, with the construction of Storrow Drive. To make up for park land lost to the new road, additional islands were built along the Esplanade. In the 1960's, construction of the Dr. Paul Dudley White Bike path linked the Esplanade to Herter Park in Brighton and other upstream parks. This 18-mile path travels along the entire basin on both the North and South sides of the river.
The Charles River Basin and Esplanade retains a unique place in this country's history of public recreation. Frederick Law Olmstead's 1889 design for Charlesbank included the first outdoor gymnasium in the United States. Community Boating was the country's first, and remains among the best, public boating program. For a modest fee, thousands of people have learned to sail on the Charles.
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1 review
Been running both sides of the Charles for thirty years, it is always depressing during runs to not see any real activity at the Shell. It would seem that some effort should be made to at least have something going on every Saturday and Sunday both during the day that would attract families and during the evening to attract the general public.
Just as an afterthought, from a musical perspective, with all of the music schools in Boston, why not have students performing. I would be willing to bet big name professionals could be encouraged to perform if for no other reason than to have on their c.v that they performed in front of 100,000 spectators at the Hatch , who knows, maybe some high profile performers might even record a live Album, much like Chris Botti did at Symphony Hall.
Remember: "A beautiful place is a terrible thing to waste".
1 review
I am concerned that for the second year, there is no listing for the YOTE. Followers of the program were very excited to learn of us, but could not find us on your website. This year, you not only fail to list the 6-7pm yoga class, you have a separate activity listed for the Hatch Shell. I drive from NH to assist at the class, and would love to see us on your public schedule. FYI, we start Monday, 13 July.