Just Ralph

07/07/2019

I really enjoy introducing folks to Boston, my home town. Sometimes, they are kind enough to leave a comment.

10/07/2018

07/19/2017

The ceremony includes the dedication of a semicircular stone wall memorial inscribed with the names of the 19 people hanged near Proctor's Ledge, which scholars last year confirmed as the site of the hangings.

07/18/2017

On this fine day, July 18,1776, The Declaration Of Independence was proclaimed to the citizens of Boston. The document was read by Sheriff William Greenleaf to the gathered Patriots. Thomas Crafts (Sons Of Liberty) was also present, and he had read it in chamber, prior to the public reading.
The Declaration Of Independence was adopted on July 4,1776 by The Continental Congress, in Philadelphia. Copies arrived in Boston on July 15,1776, by horseback.

02/05/2017

The Phillips Candy House, a stop on my tour, have been making these chocolate footballs for years. They're very popular this time of year!

01/29/2017

This is where they commemorate the Boston Tea Party on Congress Street in Boston. The original scene of the crime was Griffin Wharf. Now Boston has changed so much since 1773, however historians think Griffin Wharf may have been very near the entrance to the Intercontinental Hotel on Atlantic Avenue. Anyway that rainy day became a cold night, the tide was out, making the dispersal of East India tea a bigger job than just throwing it in the sea. Way back on December 16, 1773.

01/16/2017

From 1 year ago...still an interesting MLK memory.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of showing a young New England Patriots player around town. He was especially interested in where Dr Martin Luther King lived while he studied at Boston University back in 1951. While the South End of Boston has been revitalized since those days he lived at 397 Massachusetts Avenue, apartment 6. He was residing here when he met his future wife, Coretta Scott King.

10/30/2016

Today in 1735, John Adams, 2nd President and Founding Father of our beloved United States was born in Braintree, MA! When Quincy got their independence from Braintree, they claimed him as a favorite son.

06/01/2016

I'm probably the only Boston tour that goes here. But I think it's not only a beatiful place, with skyline views of Boston, wildlife near the city. But the Native Americans that lived there were called the Massachsett, giving our state it's name!

Blue Hill Reservation, you never know who will say stop by to say hi! Photo by Tessa Minicozzi

04/13/2016

Happy Birthday to Thomas Jefferson, born today in 1743!

03/05/2016

Remembering a sad event in our nation's history. Paul Revere's drawing of The Boston Massacre, March 5, 1770. One of the events leading to Revolution.

01/31/2016

A little more than a year since Charlie Chesterman passed away. He was not only a friend, but a very popular singer / songwriter from the Boston music scene. His band Scruffy The Cat had some success on college radio and shared tours with The Replacements and Los Lobos. He loved The Ramones and was thrilled when Joey Ramone saw his band at the Ritz in New York. A wonderful, kind man, with a place in Boston music history, that is missed.

01/16/2016

Today is Benjamin Franklin's birthday! He was born in Boston, on Milk Street, January 17, 1706. He came of age in Philadelphia as one of the founding fathers of America. He was a darling of French society as an early diplomat representing America. Truly a rock star of his day! Known for his many inventions, creation of civic, philanthropic and educational institutions, his legacy is immeasurable. And, he was a printer like me!

12/25/2015

The Bay Psalm Book is the world's most expensive book! It was owned by The Old South Church in Boston, Massachusetts and sold by Sotheby's Auctions for $14.2 million. The church didn't mind parting with it as they still have another one. In fact they had 5 of them at one time!

10/23/2015

A cold day in Boston, at The JFK Library. Sailboats, Quincy and Logan Airport in the background. The JFK Presidential Library was designed by I.M. Pei, and dedicated in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter.

10/12/2015

Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park in Boston. This is my favorite outdoor place in Boston. The park includes the a statue of Christopher Columbus gazing out to sea. The Rose Kennedy Garden with 104 rose bushes, 1 for every year of her life. The Beirut Memorial, with 9 trees one for each Massachusetts Marine killed there in 1983. And of course the beautiful trellis, that is lit up during the holidays! This beautiful park is right by the harbor, near historic Long Wharf, and many of our historical sites. Happy Columbus Day to all!

09/29/2015

09/29/2015

I believe this is a significant site in Boston. At the corner of Essex and Washington Streets is this large plaque, commemorating the Liberty Tree. The Liberty Tree was a large elm tree near Boston Common. The residents of Boston would meet to discuss and vent about the latest outraged by "The Crown". Beginning around 1765, until British soldiers felled the tree in 1775. I think it's not part of The Freedom Trail, because it doesn't fit neatly into its path. The symbol of The Liberty Tree even appeared on early flags of the movement. None the less, one of my favorite stories from the Revolutionary War.

09/14/2015

I like this photo a lot. They got sent back the way they came on March 17, 1776 for sure!

09/12/2015

The Prudential Building with the lights glowing "Red, White, and Blue" as a remembrance of 911. A tragic memory touching so many with sadness and loss.

09/09/2015

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of showing a young New England Patriots player around town. He was especially interested in where Dr Martin Luther King lived while he studied at Boston University back in 1951. While the South End of Boston has been revitalized since those days he lived at 397 Massachusetts Avenue, apartment 6. He was residing here when he met his future wife, Coretta Scott King.

06/27/2015

At the Granite Links Golf Course, meeting a couple of tourists from NYC. Great views of Boston, but not a fun course for me to play.... very difficult!

06/15/2015

Boston Skyline, sailboats on the Charles. When I took this pic the guy behind me beeped at me? Well you can't please everyone!

06/11/2015

A nice pic of the Boston skyline from the Cambridge side of the Charles River.

04/25/2015

A wild turkey sauntering around the Blue Hills Reservation, with its tail feather up! I had to stop.

04/17/2015

The snow is gone, hopefully! The Troops getting ready for Patriots day, at Longfellow's Wayside Inn.

04/17/2015

The Gristmill at Longfellow's Wayside Inn

04/09/2015

My Brochures

04/09/2015

These are my brochures for the hotels. Many thanks to Christiane Schulze for her wonderful photos!

03/26/2015

Night view of one of my favorite Boston landmarks. Sunday night all lit up, no traffic, I got this photo with my iPhone from the middle of State Street at 2AM!