Through Waters Deep – Tour of Boston, Part 1
The city of Boston is fascinating—chockfull of history and color. While best known for its key role in the American Revolution, the city also played a role in World War II, with busy shipyards and naval bases—and more! The city’s reputation for revolutionary foment seemed a great backdrop for Through Waters Deep, set in the tumult of 1941, as isolationists and interventionists argued the correct course for the nation’s future, and as rumors of sabotage and espionage ran rampant.
I’ve been blessed to visit Boston a number of times. In July 2014, I made a research trip and took lots of pictures to help me visualize the story. We’ll follow the Freedom Trail, established in the 1950s to connect Boston’s multiple historical sites. Come see the following Tour of Boston posts as well:
Paul Revere House and Old North Church
Charlestown and USS Constitution
Old State House, Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market
Public Garden
First stop (not officially on the Freedom Trail)…Boston’s Public Garden, filled with beautiful botanical specimens and dominated by a large and picturesque lagoon. The lagoon is home to the famous Swan Boats from April to September, which you can watch from the little pedestrian suspension bridge. In the 1940s, ice-skaters criss-crossed the frozen waters! The year 1941 marks the publication of Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, set in the Public Garden. Today a statue of the ducklings delights visitors. For more serious-minded tourists, George Washington is also honored with a grand statue.
The Pedestrian Bridge over the lagoon in the Public Garden in Boston. (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)
Swan boat on the lagoon of the Public Garden in Boston (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)
The Public Garden in Boston (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)
Statue of George Washington in the Public Garden in Boston (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)
Boston Common
Next stop…Boston Common, the oldest public park in the world, dating from 1634. Throughout history it has served as grazing land for livestock, a location for hangings, training grounds for British troops, and a place of oratory and celebrations. The Parkman Bandstand has been used for music, theater, and speakers. Today the Frog Pond is used for ice-skating in the winter and wading in the summer.
Boston Common (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)
Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common, Boston, MA. (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)
Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)
Located on Boston Common, Park Street and Boylston Stations are the first subway stations in America, dating from 1897, three years before New York’s subway opened. At the northeast corner of the Common stands the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, erected in 1897 to honor the 54th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the African-American unit that served with distinction in the Civil War. Across Beacon Street from the Shaw Memorial is the Massachusetts State House, the capitol of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Designed by architect Charles Bulfinch and completed in 1798, the dome was covered in copper by Paul Revere in 1802, then in gold leaf in 1874. After Pearl Harbor, the dome was painted black as an air raid precaution!
The entrance to Park Street Station, Boston Common (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)
Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, Boston Common. (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)
Massachusetts State House, Boston (Photo: Sarah Sundin, July 2014)
Sources:
Freedom Trail Foundation: http://www.thefreedomtrail.org/
National Historical Park, Massachusetts: http://www.nps.gov/bost/planyourvisit/index.htm
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Trail
Thanks for your photo tour of Boston; it was very interesting since I have never been to Massachusetts.
Thank you, Sue!
I’ve only been to Boston once but just remember the crazy roads. Thanks for the pictures, such a sense of history.
Yes! The roads! Even with the GPS, getting around is crazy hard. My son and I still laugh about The Rotary north of Boston we went through every day and never got right. It was comical.
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Beautiful pictures! I’ve never been to Boston, but I’d love to go and explore someday! So much history… 🙂
That’s why I like it 🙂
Thank you for sharing this wonderful tour and beautiful pictures! Boston is on my list of places to visit!
texaggs2000 at gmail dot com
Thanks, Britney!
Thanks for some amazing pics of Boston.
Thanks, Kim!
Thanks for the pictures. I have never been to New England, but it is on my bucket list.
It’s a great place to visit!
Sarah I have been to Boston before, but now I certainly want to return…lol. Looking forward to the next part of the tour 🙂 Thanks so much for the giveaway. Hope I win!
Thank you, Betti! I’m glad you liked the pictures.
I have a flight connection in Boston, but these pictures still remain the closest I’m likely to get any time soon!
Yeah…flight connections just don’t do the job 🙂
I love the photo of the Swan Boats! wow, would love to ride in one of those one day! Thanks for sharing these photos of Boston; a place I have never been able to visit! 🙂
Me too! We didn’t go for a ride. I was already demanding way too much from my teen son – I thought riding in a swan boat might make him crack 🙂
I so enjoy your writings. I feel as though I’m right there.
Thank you, Maralyn!
I so enjoy your writings. I feel as though I’m right there.
I so enjoy your writings. I feel as though I’m right there.
Thank you for the wonderful tour of Boston. We were there a few years ago and it brought back great memories. Your book Through Waters Deep arrived yesterday at the Parable Christian Store where I work.
Great! I’m glad it’s already available!
My cousin gave us a tour of Boston a couple of years ago! Your pictures reminded me of all the great history we saw! (I’m crossing my fingers, hoping to win a book!!!! )
Thanks, Becki!
I love history and social studies, so historical fiction is my favorite genre. I especially enjoy reading from authors who do their research so well that I feel as if I am part of the story. You are definitely one of those authors! Thanks for bringing the WW2 era to life in your books. It is truly a fascinating part of our history.
Thank you, Sonya! I’m glad you’re enjoying the stories and the history!
Thanks for the tour, Sarah. My husband who is now deceased and I had the opportunity to visit Boston in the late eighties.
I’m glad you had the chance to visit!
Sarah, I can’t wait to read this book, especially since my grandfather served in the Navy in WWII!! He worked in the ship’s stifling-hot engine room & could hear/feel the enemy’s torpedoes shooting through the water around his ship. He said it was terrifying because he knew that at any second, one of those torpedoes could hit his ship, & being in the lowest bowels of the monstrous vessel, he would not have time to make it topside before the ship sank. He came home with PTSD & only spoke to me about this twice. I have a deep & grateful respect for the Greatest Generation!! I want to honor them by hearing & sharing their stories, by making sure they are never forgotten! I thank God for my new friends Waldo & Rupy, both WWII vets in their 90’s, who take great pleasure & pride in sharing their stories & photos with “the younger generation”!! God bless our troops, God bless our veterans, & God bless our country, a country that very much needs to turn back to Jesus!!!
I certainly wish I could have talked to your grandfather when I was writing the second book in the series, Anchor in the Storm – that’s the background for the story!
And I’m so glad your friends share their stories with you – and I know you treasure them 🙂
Thank you for this lovely tour of Boston!
Thanks, Caryl!
Thanks for sharing your photos and tour–so much history there–makes me want to visit someday! Your new book sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. 🙂
Thanks, Karen!
I’ve been to Boston, great job.love the pictures. ..love the story, !
Thanks, Beverly!
Thank you for sharing! I love to see where your inspiration comes from. Ps, thank you for responding to me yesterday. It made my day to hear from my favorite author!
You’re welcome! I love hearing from my reader buddies!
Enjoyed the post and I enjoy your daily posts of what happened 70 and 75 years ago.
Thanks, Connie!
Thank you so much for this tour of Boston.
I have never been therr, so the pics with their history was great!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for the visual to go with the book! Excited to read it:)
Thanks, Jodie!
Lovely pictures, such a neat look at your research.
This is the fun research 🙂
I’ve never been to Boston,thanks for the pictures. I would really like to read Through waters deep.
Thanks, Lisa!
It was fun to see your photos of Boston, especially since I’ve never been there. I’m looking forward to reading your new book. Thanks for the chance to win Through Waters Deep.
Thanks, Pam!
I enjoyed the tour of the Freedom trail and seeing the old north church on our trip to Boston a couple years ago.
Isn’t it wonderful! That’s in next Monday’s post (July 27)
Wow, I love this! I am bookmarking so when we someday get to take our children there, I will have all of this as a reference. I can’t wait to read your new book, my friend! Many blessings, Lisa
Thanks, Lisa! It’s a great city to take kids, especially history-loving kids!
I bant find my copy of the book, but wasn’t her apartment near the Bunker Hill monument? Where’s that photo?
Old Ironsides, the Navy Yard . . . .?
Satisfied retired Navy wife who spent last weekend in Stonington!
Be patient, my friend. I’ll get there 🙂 But not until next week…
Whoops! Didn’t see the Part I! 🙂
Ha ha ha!!
Wow those are a lot of great historical sites. It must have been fun to travel for research 🙂
It was!
I think the travel bug just bit me again!! 🙂
I always have that problem 🙂
I’m looking forward to reading your new book!
Thanks, Abbie!
Love the pics! Boston is one of my favorite places…steeped in history!
Thanks, Anne! It’s one of my favorite places too!
As a history buff, I enjoyed your little photo tour of Boston and I love reading your books!
Thanks, Marsha!
I would love a copy of your book for our church library. The pictures of Boston are neat. It is a place I would love to visit due to the history of the area.
Thanks, Candace! It’s a fascinating city.
Can’t wait to read Through Waters Deep–it comes out right before my vacation so know I’ll be devouring it then 🙂 I’ve always wanted to visit Boston!
Thanks, Liz! I hope you get to Boston some day!
How much fun would a tour of Boston be with an author, like Sarah Sundin? If you haven’t thought about it already, perhaps you should.
You’d be bored silly 🙂 I go odd places and take odd pictures. Ask my son 🙂 “Why are taking a picture of a tree, Mom?” “A doorway? Really?”
Sarah, Your tour is off to a great start! Boston is my favorite city. Love the history. Took my kids for a swan boat ride years ago — many good memories from my childhood and theirs.
Thanks for sharing your family in the wedding pics, and congratulations! Can’t wait to read Through Waters Deep and enjoy the rest of your Boston tour! Thanks for being such a blessing to your readers!
Thank you, Joyce! I’m glad the pictures brought back memories!
Great photos…would love to visit Boston! I can’t wait to read the book. Please keep them coming!
Thanks, Amy! I hope to do just that 🙂
Great photos. The Swan Boat–like in Make Way for Ducklings! 🙂
I look forward to reading your book! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Exactly! I love that Make Way for Ducklings was published in 1941, the same year my novel takes place 🙂
Thanks for the photo tour – can’t wait to read this book!
Thanks, Kristine!
You just bring places and events to life through your writing. You are such a blessing.
Thank you, Leigh!
I’ve always wanted to see Boston but haven’t made it yet. Thanks for sharing those pictures with us. Sarah Sundin is my favorite author. Once I begin reading one of her books, I can’t put it down. Thanks, Sarah!
Thank you, Anna! I hope you get to visit Boston some day.
Loved the pictures. I have never been to Boston, but would love to go. Hope to win!
Thanks, Karen!
I really enjoy your books. The pictures from Boston are fantastic. I have never been to that part of the country but love to watch movies that take place there. It would be so great to have a time machine and visit that city.
Wouldn’t it? 🙂
I hope to visit Boston someday. Love history & would love to visit the historical sites. And I can’t wait for Sarah’s new book. I love books set in the WWII era.
Thanks, Priscilla! Definitely a city to visit!
Enjoyed the photos from my mom in laws hometown! Can’t wait to visit these sites myself one day! Loved the photo shoot video as well- so much fun in my favorite look!!
Thanks, DeAnna! Boston’s a great place to visit. And I’m glad you liked the video. They did an outstanding job!
Thanks for the pictures! I love history and have always wanted to visit the east coast. Love the cover of the book! Thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks, Beth!
Thanks for sharing how the cover pic was made. Fun to see. Thanks very much for your giveaway.
Thanks, Karen!
Nice photos. Looks like a fun place to visit. Thanks for the chance to win.
Thanks, Vickie!
Thank you for keeping history alive! Historical friction is my favorite book genre.
Thank you, Sue!
Love the pictures, will help me visualize the story more, thanks!
Love your books and the WWII era! Thank you for keeping it alive for the next generation!!
Thank you, Susan!
I want to thank you for keeping this time in history alive, in your books. And putting pictures with the story line.
Thanks, Stella!
Mighty Eighth Air Force my husbands unit was part of the Mighty Eight
Wonderful! Those were amazing men.
I have just recently found your books & am already on my 3rd one! They are amazing! I love the historical settings, biblical truths & overcoming personal obstacles in your stories.
Thank you, JJ! I’m glad you took a chance on a new author!
I am loving the photos! !!! Thank you!
Thanks, Tori!
never been to Boston but they are beautiful pictures. love military novels.
Thanks, Brian! Boston is a fascinating city!
Great pictures, I’d like to visit there someday! thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Thanks, Deanna!
Thanks for the tour! Would love to visit Boston myself.
Thanks, Ginny!
Thanks for the pictures!
I’m glad you enjoyed them!
Your photos of Boston are quite timely. I’m on a river cruise in 2 weeks and we disembark in Boston. With that, I should be able to see the views of Boston Harbor myself and then have personal context for your new story. I purchased it on Kindle so will have it for the trip!
I have enjoyed all of your books, Sarah, and wish you continued success!
God bless!
How fun! Some important scenes take place on Boston Harbor 🙂 Have a great cruise!
Thank you for taking us back in time with your excellent attention to detail and thorough research! Love the Boston pictures! Hope it was a blessed trip for you.
Mrs. Bonnie Copland
Thank you, Bonnie! It was.
Thanks for the tour of Boston. Was there once, and enjoyed it…..so much history! Congratulations on your daughter’s wedding. Our daughter married last July. I remember the special time that day was! Blessings to Anna & Zander. Looking forward to your new book!
Thank you, Julie! I’ll pass on the wedding blessings!
Lovely pictures. Congrats on the wedding as well. I am looking forward to reading Through Waters Deep.
Thanks, Rebecca!
I’ve lived all of your books! I’m really looking forward to Through Waters Deep!
Thanks, Wendy!
Dear Mrs. Sundin,
Thank you for sharing your pictures! It is inspiring and quite exciting to see how you’ve delved into your research. I enjoy discovering various locations and things that people would have seen at a certain point in time. All of your books are so well written and are full of interesting details that encourage me to dive into research about the time periods I write about.
Your books are especially encouraging because I see how well you creatively describe a faith-filled life. It’s so rare to find Christian authors who are skillful at that; truly introducing God as an active participant in the characters’ lives.
After looking at these pictures of Boston, I look forward to seeing how you intertwine color in “Through Waters Deep.” It looks like it will be especially captivating, and I am very excited to read it!
Again, thank you for sharing your journey with your readers. God is using you in greater ways that you could ever imagine!
Sincerely,
Katie P.
Thank you, Katie! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the stories. You made my day 🙂
Enjoyed your pictures! I am going to visit Boston in Oct. Can’t wait!
Wonderful time to visit! I hope you can see the fall colors – spectacular!
Thank you for sharing the tour. Am going to Boston for the first time with my son and his family. We shall have to check out some of the places you mention. My grandkids love history!
Thanks, Anne! Your grandkids will love Boston!! The history is phenomenal. I also recommend the Museum of Science for families. Very hands-on!
Thanks for sharing the photo shoot video on youtube! I’ve never been to Boston…I hope some day to visit!
Thanks, Barb! I hope you can visit some day!
Wow! Those pictures are amazing! I hope I get to visit there some day. Thank you for the give away opportunity 🙂
Thanks, Laura!
I can hardly wait to read this book. The whole series! My father was on convoy duty in the North Atlantic during WWII and was stationed at Boston part of the time as well. He and my mother were married in 1945 in Boston. Thank you for writing about this part of WWII.
Oh my goodness. I wish I could have talked to your father when I was writing this novel!!
I have never been to Boston so I am enjoying the tour. I love the Pedestrian Bridge. It is really something to look at. Great pics! Thanks for the tour and giveaway!
It’s a cute little bridge. They say it’s the smallest suspension bridge in the world…don’t know if that’s true, but it’s certainly quaint!
looks like fun
Thank you!
This is an absolutely fabulous photo tour. I learned a lot about Boston from it. Thank you for posting it.
Thank you, Debora!
[…] established in the 1950s to connect Boston’s multiple historical sites. Earlier we explored Boston Common and the Public Garden. Today we visit Park Street Church. When writing Through Waters Deep, I chose Part Street as the […]
Thanks for sharing all of the pictures and history of Boston! I visited there when I was about 10, and more recently with my husband and three daughters. We loved walking the Freedom Trail! A city filled with amazing history of our country’s beginnings!
It is! We’ve been there several times, and it never grows old.
What a wonderful tour of Boston! You captured the historical spirit of this beautiful city and I can’t wait to read your next book. You are an amazing author! I’ve had the pleasure to live in Boston for 2 years many years ago while attending graduate school there.
How wonderful! What a great opportunity that was!
Your pictures make me want to visit Boston! And it makes me even more eager to read your new book!!
Thank you, Kathryn!
(Entering the contest again!)
But also, I’m hoping to go to Boston with my the honors department at my university this year. We do sponsored educational trips! I’ve always wanted to go. These pictures reinforce that! 🙂 Thank you for sharing these!
How fun! I hope you get to go. It’s a fascinating city!
Such fun to see pictures of one of my favorite places.
Thanks, Sherry!
Took a tour in Boston several years ago while on a New England cruise. I love the history. Looking forward to reading your new book.
Thanks, Suzanne! The history is fascinating!
To think Boston Commons was the site of hangings! Makes my blood curdle to think of public hangings, but I know it’s a fact. Thanks for the interesting post. I’d love to ride in a Swan boat.
Yes, colonial history is a bit unnerving 🙂
Have really enjoyed your previous books and am looking forward to this one. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Thank you, Ellen!
I can’t wait to see Boston!
It’s worth a trip!
Hope you had some lobsta and chowda while you were there. Did you have trouble pahkin the cah? Did you lose your cah keys (khakis)?! Isn’t Boston wicked?
Did you have some lobsta and chowda while in Bastin? Did you have trouble pahkin your cah? Did you lose your cah keys (khakis)? You had a wicked great time!
Ha ha ha! Not a fish-lover, but I indulged in North End pasta, baked beans, and Boston cream pie!
Thanks for the photo tour! I am looking forward to reading your book aloud with my hubby. His dad was in the Navy.
Thanks, Debbie! I hope you both enjoy it!
I have to go to these places. The only places that I saw were the places in the history books. I have to go. Great posts
Thanks, Tammy! Seeing Boston makes history come to life.
Thanks for this tour through some of Boston. I love the history there. I’m looking forward to reading your newest book. Please consider me entered into the giveaway:)
You’re entered 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed the tour! More to come!
great photos Sarah! makes me feel like i have been there!
Thanks, Shelia! It’s a fascinating city.
I don’t believe I’ve ever been there but so enjoyed the photo’s and the history lessons above. You would make a great History teacher Sarah. The bandstand you showed in the pictures above is that where the BOSTON POP’S plays w/the fireworks display on July 4th?
No, the Pops play at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade down on the Charles River, a much larger venue.
Hope you got some good chowdah while you were there! The photos and info are wonderful. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I’m not a fish-lover, but I had excellent Boston cream pie 🙂
Great pictures! My son was in Boston recently for meetings. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to see parts of it.
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures.
[…] established in the 1950s to connect Boston’s multiple historical sites. Earlier we explored Boston Common and the Public Garden and Park Street Church. Later this week we’ll explore Charlestown and the USS Constitution, […]
Many of these sights are familiar to me since our family took the Freedom Trail Tour over this past 4th of July holiday. “Mrs. Dawes” showed us the sights along the freedom trail and really made history fun and interesting for our kids (ages 7 & 9).
Which fun facts stood out to you?
I though it was wild how the Victorians moved headstones around in the cemetery in order to make it look nice!
My kids got a kick out of seeing Paul Revere’s little headstone and then the bigger one erected to honor him later. They also giggled about the commons being used to graze animals. (Of course, it’s a little harder for them to picture Boston as it had been in the late 1800’s compared to the way it is now.)
We visit the Boston area every other summer to spend the 4th with my inlaws in Marblehead, Mass. If you taken the opportunity to see the fireworks from Marblehead – you should add it to your bucket list. Coastal Living Mag rated them one of the best places to watch the fireworks. http://www.coastalliving.com/travel/top-10/july-fourth-celebrations/view-all. The Marblehead Arts Festival is the same week and it’s really pretty nifty.
I look forward to reading Through Waters Deep.
Blessings,
@AmandaGeaney
Sounds like your family had a wonderful trip! We’ve also found Boston to be such a child-friendly vacation spot. Best combination of fun and education!
As Californians who have visited the Monterey Aquarium countless times, my kids got a kick out of seeing a California sea otter exhibit…in Boston!!
Never been to Boston but would love to go. Please enter me in.
Thanks, Nicole! You’re entered.
What lovely pictures! It looks like a great trip!
Please enter me in to win a book!
Thanks, Kendra! You’re entered!
I’ve never been further east than Montana, so it’s a treat to read about places like Boston in novels. It’s the closest thing to being there!
Thanks, Jenny! It’s worth the trip.
It amazes me to see how much work you do to promote your books. I love, love it when authors share info like this. I hope you set up a pinterest board!
Yes, I have a Pinterest board – a nice, big, fat one! https://www.pinterest.com/sarahsundin/novel-through-waters-deep/ Enjoy!
Having never been in Boston, I enjoyed the photo tour! Thanks for sharing!
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks, Trixi!
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