Welcome to The Boston Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Office upgrades costly due to modern amenities.

• Upcoming Boston Red Sox game

• A deep-dive into the life of Mary Rowlandson

• And more…

Quote of the Week

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

- Edmund Burke

Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

In Boston, which historic trail leads to significant sites from the American Revolution?

A) The Freedom Trail

B) Paul Revere's Path

C) The Liberty Walk

D) The Colonial Trail

Answer to Last Week's Trivia:

The annual Boston event that illuminates the city's skyline on the Fourth of July is A) Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular.

News

💼 Business

Amazon's massive North Andover warehouse cost $200M+ more than projected. (link)

Office-upfit costs rise amid amenities, flexible workspaces, technology. (link)

Boston's Pizza sets grand opening for Memorial Day. (link)

🏒 Sports

Boston sports radio host calls Bill Walton 'a phony hippie' and jokes 'I didn't kill him' after Hall of Famer's death. (link)

Celtics, NBA legends remember the late, great Bill Walton. (link)

In Boston, schools test ways to target student absences with sports, raffles and Saturday schedules. (link)

🏦 Finance

Boston's Downtown Real Estate Is Collapsing. This Is Ominous.. (link)

Boston Omaha Corporation Announces First Quarter 2024 Financial Results. (link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

⚾ Boston Red Sox vs. Atlanta Braves
Fenway Park, Boston, MA
Tuesday, Jun 4th | 7:10 PM | (More info)

🏀 Celtics Watch Party at PLAY Boston ( 21+ ) Round 4 Game 1
Big Night Live, Boston, MA
Thursday, Jun 6th | 7:30 PM | (More info)

🏀NBA Finals: Mavs/Timberwolves at Celtics Rd 4 Hm Gm 1
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Thursday, Jun 6th | 8:30 PM | (More info)

⚽ New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA
Saturday, Jun 8th | 7:30 PM | (More info)

Music & Concerts

🎸  Subhumans, FEA, American Ethos
Sonia 10 Brookline St. Cambridge, MA
Tuesday, Jun 4th | 6:00 PM | (More info)

🎸 Zach Seabaugh
Middle East - Upstairs 472 Massachusetts Ave Cambridge, MA
Tuesday, Jun 4th | 7:00 PM | (More info)

🎻G Flip
Big Night Live, Boston, MA
Tuesday, Jun 4th | 7:00 PM | (More info)

🎷 Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Royale Boston, Boston, MA
Tuesday, Jun 4th | 8:00 PM | (More info)

Family

📕 Auschwitz. Not Long Ago. Not Far Away.
The Castle at Park Plaza, Boston, MA
Monday, Jun 3rd | time varies | (More info)

💃 Blue Man Group Charles Playhouse
Charles Playhouse, Boston, MA
Tuesday, Jun 4th | 1:30 PM | (More info)

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Boston with gravity-defying structures” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

Boston Historical Events

First Subway in the U.S. (1897) - Boston's Tremont Street Subway.

The first subway in America, Boston's Tremont Street Subway, holds a significant place in transportation history. Constructed in 1897, this pioneering subway system marked a major milestone in urban transit development. The Tremont Street Subway was a five-mile route that ran between an entrance at the Public Garden and a terminal at Dudley Street in Roxbury. It featured the first two stations, Boylston and Park Street, and was a groundbreaking achievement in public transportation infrastructure.

The construction of the Tremont Street Subway was a result of extensive research and study by city officials, who traveled to England, Germany, and France to study transportation methods. The subway opened for service on September 1, 1897, and became America's first-ever subway tunnel. The inaugural ride through the tunnel attracted over 100 people, and more than 100,000 individuals took the three-and-a-half minute trip on its opening day. The Tremont Street Subway's historical significance and its role in shaping modern urban transit make it a landmark in Boston's transportation legacy.

Today, the Tremont Street Subway remains an integral part of Boston's transit system, serving as a testament to the city's innovative spirit and commitment to advancing public transportation. The subway's legacy continues to inspire and influence the development of urban transit systems across the United States, making it a symbol of progress and innovation in the realm of public transportation.

Famous People From Boston

Mary Rowlandson – Colonial American woman who wrote about her captivity by Native Americans

Mary Rowlandson: 1637-1711

Mary Rowlandson, also known as Mary White, was a colonial American woman who endured captivity by Native Americans during King Philip's War. Her life story is marked by resilience, faith, and the power of the written word.

Early Life and Migration to America (1637-1656)

Mary Rowlandson was born in Somersetshire, England, around 1637, the sixth of ten children of John and Joane White. Her family migrated to America during her early childhood, settling in Salem, Massachusetts, a town in the Puritan colony of Massachusetts Bay.

Marriage and Family (1656-1676)

In 1656, Mary Rowlandson married Reverend Joseph Rowlandson and moved to Lancaster, Massachusetts, where they had four children. Their life together was marked by the challenges of frontier living and the tensions between Native Americans and the English settlers.

Captivity and Survival (1676)

During King Philip's War in 1676, Mary Rowlandson and her children were captured by Native Americans and held captive for 11 weeks. Her harrowing experience tested her faith and endurance, leading to her eventual release and return to English society.

Writing "The Sovereignty and Goodness of God" (1676-1682)

Following her release, Mary Rowlandson wrote a narrative of her captivity titled "The Sovereignty and Goodness of God." This work became a significant piece of American literature, providing a firsthand account of her captivity and emphasizing the role of faith in her survival.

Life in Boston and Later Years (1682-1711)

After the death of her husband, Mary Rowlandson and her children moved to Boston, where she continued to write and share her experiences. She became an instant celebrity and received a pension from church officials. She passed away on January 5, 1711, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and literary significance.

Key Achievements of Mary Rowlandson:

• Author of "The Sovereignty and Goodness of God," a significant narrative of captivity and faith.

• Endured 11 weeks of captivity by Native Americans during King Philip's War.

• Contributed to American literature with her firsthand account of captivity and survival.

• Remembered for her resilience, faith, and enduring legacy in colonial American history.

• Mary Rowlandson's story is one of survival, faith, and literary significance, leaving an indelible mark on American history and literature.

Connect With Me

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/matthewblarsen

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