Some Boston Historical Sites Closed Tuesday
Some of Boston’s historical sites were closed on Tuesday following the bombing at the Boston Marathon.
“Due to heightened security, the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center and USS Constitution are closed for April 16, 2013,” representatives from the Boston Historical Park service posted on the department’s Facebook page.
The USS Constitution Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to the site’s Facebook page.
In addition, the Bunker Hill Monument was closed for climbing on Tuesday.
The Faneuil Hall Visitor Center is open Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; however, guided tours are cancelled, according to the National Park Service.
The Boston Tea Party Ship and museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday.
The Paul Revere House is open Tuesday until 5:15 p.m.
“We are grateful that our spring bulbs are blooming and we are delighted to see Marathoners and their families at our site today,” Paul Revere House representatives wrote on the site’s Facebook page.
The Old North Church appeared to be open on Tuesday, although the museum did close early on Monday after the bombing.
The church’s Rev. Stephen Ayres had this to say on the church Facebook page:
“The steeple where two lanterns were courageously hung two hundred and thirty eight years ago. The steeple that gave birth to Patriot’s Day and the tradition of the Boston Marathon. Assaults on our freedom cut deeply here at Old North Church. We will be keeping our lanterns lit and facing the Boston Marathon finish line to honor the innocent victims.”
Most major Boston museums are open on Tuesday, with several offering free admission. The Museum of Fine Arts is offering free admission to all of its galleries and special exhibitions. Drop-in programs, including art-making activities, tours and story hours for families and children, are also going on as usual.
The Institute of Contemporary Art is also open free to all visitors on Tuesday, with free school vacation activities going on as scheduled.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred yesterday during the Boston Marathon and our thoughts go out to the runners, friends, families, first responders, and all those impacted,” ICA officials wrote on the museum’s website. “[…] Heightened security measures are in place to ensure the safety of our visitors and staff. As always, we hope the museum will offer a place of community and reflection.”
The Boston Children’s Museum is also open Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum staff posted an article about helping children deal with tragedy on their blog.