Standing proudly at the corners of Dartmouth Street and Commonwealth Avenue since 1871, and greatly expanded in 1882 for railroad and manufacturing heir Frederick L. Ames, this home represents the finest work of two prominent 19th-century Boston architectural firms, Peabody and Stearns and John Hubbard Sturgis.

For the first time in nearly 150 years, the mansion is being fully restored under the supervision of award-winning architectural firm, Hamady Architects. Murals by Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant and a magnificent stained glass by John La Farge have been meticulously restored. The home has received additions reflecting its architectural patrimony, the reinstatement of its elegantly gated carriage entrance and a new parterre garden — testaments honoring Boston’s unique architectural history. Richly carved oak woodworks were replicated by a contemporary millwork shop in Virginia, celebrating the accessibility of, and dedication to, American craftsmanship.

In observance of Boston’s Preservation Month, you are invited to tour the Ames-Webster Mansion.

Tour begins at the Shattuck Visitor Center, 125 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115. Please register online:

In the vaunted annals of America’s founding, Boston has long been held up as an exemplary “city upon a hill” and the “cradle of liberty” for an independent United States. Wresting this iconic urban center from these misleading, tired clichés, "The City-State of Boston" highlights Boston’s overlooked past as an autonomous city-state, and in doing so, offers a pathbreaking and brilliant new history of early America.

Following Boston’s development over three centuries, Mark Peterson discusses how this self-governing Atlantic trading center began as a refuge from Britain’s Stuart monarchs and how — through its bargain with slavery and ratification of the Constitution — it would tragically lose integrity and autonomy as it became incorporated into the greater United States.

Peeling away the layers of myth surrounding a revered city, "The City-State of Boston" offers a startlingly fresh understanding of America’s history.

Witness Boston's brightest young performers delve into the most inspiring aspects of music-making as conductor and renowned educator Benjamin Zander brings his musical interpretation expertise to an intimate and dynamic workshop setting.

The golden age of neon in New England lasted more than 30 years, from the dark days of the Great Depression through the go-go years of the 1960s, but its spectacular legacy remains—if you know where to look. 
Susan Mara Bregman is on a mission to document New England’s neon landscape before it completely disappears. 

This event takes place in the Chestnut Hill Waterworks complex, designated a Boston Landmark in 1989.

Walk Into History along the iconic Freedom Trail – the 2.5 mile red line leading to nationally significant historic sites, every one an authentic treasure. The Freedom Trail is a unique collection of museums, churches, meeting houses, burying grounds, parks, a ship, and historic markers that tell the story of the American Revolution and beyond.

Led by 18th-century costumed Freedom Trail Players, tours feature tales of high treason, mob agitations, revolutionary actions, and partisan fights of the American Revolution. Walk the Freedom Trail through history!

Karr argues that a distinctively suburban way of life appeared here long before World War II.

"Surface Tension," on display in the Storefront Gallery on the first floor, is a collection of photographs from Peter Vanderwarker that explore the nature of surfaces, in both the built and the natural environment.

"Boston Up," in the Harbor and Channel Rooms on the second floor, display a series of architectural photographs from Neal Rantoul exploring a look up at Boston from the summer of 1982.

After the tour, enjoy wine and snacks with the artists while having a chance for one-one-one questions.

Drop by our monthly georeferencing workshop to meet other map lovers and learn how to use this free Map Center tool!

Please note: This is a first-come, first-serve event.

The class includes a brief survey of historic maps of Boston, where to find them online, and how to compare them by overlaying digital images. We’ll also take a short look at the georeferencing and map set tools on the Leventhal Map Center’s digital collections.

This event is free, but seats are limited. Seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis, starting at 5:45 p.m.