30 Oct 2025 Interpretive scrim tells 300 years of Old Corner history
Visitors to Downtown Crossing may have noticed scaffolding now surrounds the Old Corner Bookstore as we prepare for the façade maintenance and window replacement that will be happening over the next few months. But later this week, passersby will be treated to a much more interesting view at the historic corner, as HBI unveils an interpretive scrim that will be hung on the scaffolding.
Designed by our architects MASS Design Group, the images on the scrim will reveal some of the buildings’ 300+ year history, depicting historic photos of the buildings over time and highlighting many of the former occupants. The Old Corner is best known for its literary history, and the scrim features publishers Ticknor and Fields and several of 19th century authors who were published here. But there is much more to know about this site, from its pre-Colonial beginnings to the many commercial enterprises that operated at this prominent downtown corner. We believe the Old Corner Bookstore to be the oldest continuously operating commercial building in downtown Boston, and rental revenues from the businesses who have operated here have both sustained the structures and supported Historic Boston’s preservation work throughout the city.
Our current tenants will remain open for business as our work over the next few months takes place. We hope you will come check out the scrim and stop in for lunch at one of the restaurants and do some shopping while you’re here!
