About Boston By Foot  

HISTORY Boston By Foot, Inc., (BBF) is a nonprofit educational corporation now celebrating its 31th anniversary. It was founded by Polly Flansburgh in 1976, the year of America's Bicentennial, with a mission to promote public awareness of Boston's rich architectural heritage. To date, more than 210,000 residents and visitors from around the world have participated in BBF tours.

ORGANIZATION: Boston By Foot is governed by a twelve-member board of trustees. Administrative affairs are managed by Polly Flansburgh, President; Veronika McDonald King, Program Coordinator; and Irina Matei, Assistant Program Coordinator. The tours are conducted by a trained and enthusiastic corps of over 200 volunteer guides, many of whom have served BBF for more than 15, 20, and even 25 years.

GUIDE TRAINING: Taught by distinguished architects, historians, and engineers, BBF's annual six-session Spring Lecture and Field Trip Series is offered to future guides as well as to the general public. Course requirements for guides include written assignments, a final examination, a practice tour, and a commitment to conduct six tours a year. Each graduate receives a "Silver Foot" pin at a commencement ceremony in the Old North Church. Six Continuing Education events offer further opportunities for scholarship.

TOURS: From May through October, regularly scheduled tours are open to the public - reservations are not required. These 90-minute walks include: Beacon Hill, Boston By Little Feet, Boston Underfoot, The Heart of the Freedom Trail, Literary Landmarks, The North End, and Victorian Back Bay. Tours-of-the-Month and Holiday Strolls enhance each season. Private tours and Boston by Slide presentations are available year round. Universities, corporations, and a wide range of civic and cultural groups book these programs.

HONORS: Honorary Membership, American Institute of Architects, 2003; Best Tour of Boston 1999, Boston Magazine; Institute Honors, American Institute of Architects, 1996; Commonwealth Award, Boston Society of Architects, 1986; Honorary Membership, Boston Society of Architects, 1982; Editor's Pik, Yankee Magazine, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002; Volunteer Recognition, The New England, 1997.

GRANTS: Mobil Foundation (14 awards); Boston Foundation for Architecture (14 awards); Thom McAn Shoes; Prudential Insurance Co.; Gillette Company; Bolt, Beranek & Newman, Inc.; Masonry Institute of Massachusetts and New Hampshire; GTE; MassPort; Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopolous, Inc.; Stride Rite Foundation; Progress Software (2 awards).

CONTACTS: Phone: 617-367-2345, e-mail: bbfoot@bostonbyfoot.com.
[Tour Schedule ] [Group Tours] [Holiday Tours ]
[About BBF] [Membership] [Become A Docent] [Frequent Questions]
[Main Page] [Contact BBF] [Links] [Credits] [Docent Area]