Classic Greek

Quincy's City Hall was built in the 1840s in the classic Greek Revival style.  It was built with Quincy granite by master stone workers.  You can see a close-up of one ionic column here.  The crumbling interior  is finally being renovated.  It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Happy Skywatch Friday!

Granite Gem

This beautiful detail is attributed to the master stone cutters responsible for designing and constructing Quincy's City Hall in the mid-1800s. The granite came from Quincy's quarries and has lasted more than 150 years. The building's exterior surface is weathering better then the interior. Money is needed to update and make necessary repairs to the inside of this outstanding historical structure.

Happy Monochrome Monday!

Book & Bloomin' Blossoms

The cherry blossoms have bloomed early at City Hall Plaza. I have shared two versions: straight shot and "palette" play added. Which do you like better? I think the reader on the bench really completes the picture.

Spring Refection

Blue sky, cherry blossoms and United First Parish Church tower are reflected in this springtime scene at Quincy City Hall.

It's Skywatch Friday. Click here to see what the sky looks like in other parts of our world.

Pink Canopy

The cherry trees at City Hall Plaza are putting on a fantastic spring show. That is the granite gazing ball in the distance.

In Session

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This is the City Council Chamber, inside City Hall, where formal government sessions happen in Quincy. This is a very recent session of the school committee in which the superintendent is making a budget presentation to the public. Eight people comprise our school committee; one is always the mayor, one is always the superintendent of schools and 6 people are elected by the voting public.

The economic crisis is impacting the schools here. The budget proposed at this meeting would eliminate 5 middle school library and foreign language programs in those schools. Many teachers will be receiving their lay-off notices soon. It would also do away with the school system's printing shop. Apparently President Obama's stimulus package isn't quite enough to keep these educational necessities in place. We'll see. Quincy has 19 schools and a student enrollment of 9,000 students.

What's happening to the schools in your part of the world?

Snow Buddies

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Visions of Santa Claus will be dancing in many children's heads tonight. This picture was taken at City Hall Plaza after the recent snowstorm.

City Hall

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City Hall Plaza in its autumn glory is seen here in the reflective glass of the newer wing of Quincy City Hall. That is Hancock Street in the background.