The Real Dirt on the Back Bay September 5, 2011

The annual Boston By Foot Big Foot walking tour 5-hour Labor Day event.

This year, walk through Victorian era from 1861 to 1901 for a deep look into the development and history of Boston's Back Bay from the Public Garden to Charlesgate.

The Back Bay is the premier example of neighborhood planning adorned with unparalleled Victorian architecture. Starting at the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War experience Boston's prominence as the Athens of America during the Victorian era.

Built from the plans of Arthur Gilman, the Back Bay features symmetrical wide tree-lined boulevards of Haussmann's design for Paris. The Back Bay features a large collection of Victorian architectural styles including Italianate, French Academic, French Second Empire, Romanesque Revival, Gothic Revival, Queen Anne and Renaissance Revival.

The Back Bay attracted many notable residents including Frederick Ames, Hollis Hunnewell, Reverend Philips Brooks, Charles Francis Adams, Albert Burrage, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Fanny Farmer's Cooking School.

Spend your next Labor Day walking among incredible architecture exploring all the well-known sites and lesser-known nooks in historic Back Bay!

Boston By Foot is a nonprofit organization to promote the architecture and history of Boston. Guided walking tours are offered regularly May-October and private tours may be requested throughout the year. See the Boston By Foot web site to see the wide spectrum of offerings or for information about becoming a member.

Official Website: http://www.bostonbyfoot.org/tours/Back_Bay_1861-1901