Why Is Boston Common the Oldest Public Park in America?

The Boston Common has been able to survive and flourish as a park due to its constant landscape changes evident of the current times. This is why Boston Common is the oldest park in America.

Boston Common is Established as a common pasture for grazing livestock and military training in 1634.

This area was established by John Winthrop for public use and livestock grazing as stated before, but it quickly became a meeting place for colonists holding public speeches, protest, and gatherings.

One of the most famous Riots to ever take place in Boston came less than 150 years after the parks opening known as the Stamp Act Riots.

In 1975 British Parliament Passed the Stamp Act which required colonist to pay taxes on every piece of paper they used and also taxed them fees for playing cards and dice.

The people of Boston were very angry and a mob of Several thousand people attacked Andrew Olivers (City Stamp Tax Agent) home and office as well as hung an effigy of him on a tree in the park.

In an article by the National Constitution Center about the events it stated " News of the Protests, the actions of the Stamp Congress, and the publication of Henry's Virginia Resolves fueled anger across the colonies, and many colonies saw their own versions of the Sons of Liberty created".

This shows the impact that early events in Boston common had of shaping not only Boston's culture but the American culture as a whole. More from the Article about the Stamp Act Riots can be found here  https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-seeds-of-revolution-stamp-act-protests-in-boston. 

Ten years after this event we see another event showing why the land of the Boston Commons has been so important in so many different time periods and why it's the oldest park in America.

In the year 1975 British troops Camped on Boston Common before the battles of Lexington and Concord.

This is a picture of a Drawing by Paul Revere originally showing the British Troops landing in the Boston Harbor and Boston common.

British Troops occupied Boston Common for Most of the Revolutionary War and after the War the Common would remain a relevant gathering place for public events and protests.

In the 19th Century Boston Common underwent one of its most important changes as it was landscaped and transformed into a public park.

Boston Common was a fast growing city in the 19th Century, therefore Charles Bullfinch a famous Architect of the 19th century proposed new ideas to improve the park and make it more accessible to the public by adding more walkways, paths, and bridges.

This made Boston Common a sought after destination for public gatherings, cultural events, and recreational activities. Still hosting concerts, festivals , and other events today.

Today the Common is still undergoing changes to make it better for public use just like back when Charles Bullfinch proposed his plans.

In an article published by the Architect in 2020 they stated "While Boston Common has gone through numerous changes over its nearly 400-year history, the $28 million makeover outlined in the Boston Common Master Plan involves some of the most significant and sought-after alterations and upgrades to the park in decades." This shows how Boston Common has continuously been modified to keep up with current generations and how it will continue to do so and remain the oldest park in America. More about the renovations can be read here

Here are some more pictures I took of the Park today in 2024.

Moving along into the 20th Century the Boston common transformed into a focal point for Civil Rights Protest.

Despite Boston being regarded as a progressive city it was still plagued with racial segreagtion and discrimination.

Aas we know since the opening at the park it has been an place for people to express themselves and go there for comfort this was no different during these times as multiple sit ins, marches, and civil rights protest where held in the Boston Common.

Famous Activist such as Matin Luther King Jr even gave a speech here . A picture from that day in (April 23,1965) is listed below.

Boston was also the area that MLK met and married his wife and in January 2023 a statue was placed in the Common representing their embrace. I will leave a picture below.

The Boston Common has always been a symbol of Bostons rich history and heritage dating back to the 1600's, being a central gathering place for public events and protests, a place where people come together to advocate for social justice and change, and has been an area that has shown the principles of freedom and democracy.

This story map highlights the historical significance and cultural importance of Boston Common as one of the oldest public parks in America and has shown why it will continue to remain for many generations to come.