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Marvin Goody Memorial

Interesting facts about the Marvin Goody Memorial in the Public Gardens

In the Boston Public Gardens, along Charles Street, is a flagpole and several granite benches. This is a memorial to Marvin Goody.

Marvin Goodie Memorial

Who Was Marvin Goody?

This memorial is in honor of Marvin Goody, who was a former chairman of the Boston Art Commission and Friend of the Public Garden and Common, as well as an MIT faculty member.

Interesting Facts about this Memorial and Marvin Goody

  • Born in 1929 and died of a heart attack in 1980.
  • He was a well known and respected architect and worked at Goody Clancy
  • He was one of the founders of the Friends of the Public Garden
  • His Wife, Joan Goody, designed the circle memorial where the couple once walked each morning to their office to near-by Boylston Street.
  • The memorial was partly funded by the Edward Ingersoll Browne Trust Fund
  • The memorial is a circular arrangement of square stone block benches around a flagpole. (The benches are called "Pods")
  • He worked hard to keep up the Public Gardens, which is why there's a quote at the memorial which reads, "To See His Work, Look Around You"
  • There is a sycamore tree that was planted near the memorial in his memory.
  • He founded the red stones used on the Public Gardens bridge
  • He made sure that the fountains were working order and frequently checked them to make sure that water was always flowing.
  • A $5,000 annual prize in Goody's name was set up in 1983 for architecture, city planning or engineering master's students at MIT.

Interesting Facts about the Flag Pole

  • The Flagpole is one of the oldest markers in the Garden - older than the 1869 "Ether" statue.
  • The Friend of the Public Garden help design the path around the flagpole in the 1970s - during the park restoration project.
  • The Park Plaza hotel donated the American Flag, as well as funding for lighting. (By law the flag is to be illuminated since it is never lowered.)
  • Flag pole base is made of Bronze and was made in 1921.
  • Base of the flag contains the signature TF McGann & Sons - Boston MA

Home of the Future

One of Marvin Goody assignment was designing the Monsanto House of the Future. This was a project that was displayed at Disneyland in the 1960s.

"the house was envisioned as something that could be quickly and inexpensively constructed on nearly any terrain and could withstand most any force of nature" - Disney

Watch this Disney video about the home of the future:

 

About

There are many interesting things and places around Boston, MA that you should know about. Here are a few that caught my attention. From historical sites such as the USS Constitution Museum, the Freedom Trail, and the iconic Fenway Park, to modern attractions like the New England Aquarium, the Boston Public Market, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, there is something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a fun family trip or a romantic getaway, Boston has it all.

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