BHCA Community Corner

Membership in the Beacon Hill Civic Association offers many benefits, including the opportunity to meet and connect with neighbors. To that end, the BHCA hosts a monthly gathering at one of the neighborhood’s most popular local watering holes, 75 Chestnut, on the first Monday of every month from 6 pm-8 pm. “Our First Monday gatherings attract neighbors of all ages, who enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres while they enjoy the ‘Best of Beacon Hill’,” said Maura Smith, who chairs the association’s Membership and Special Event Committee. “The evenings are always fun and interesting, attracting eclectic and friendly residents. Everyone is welcome.”

Charles Street Clean Up for residents and businesses

Charles Streets street will get a fall clean up, thanks to the Joint Charles Street Committee which is encouraging residents and businesses to join on October 19th from 2 pm – 5 pm. The event, part of a joint initiative of the Beacon Hill Business Association and the Beacon Hill Civic Association to beautify and improve Charles Street, is supported by BHCA’s Streets and Sidewalks, Green and Codman Island committees.

Volunteers will begin at the corner of Beacon and Charles streets and head to Charles Circle adjacent to CVS.  Some cleaning supplies, brooms, gloves will be provided but it would be helpful for residents to bring their own and join us at any point along the way, said Miguel Rosales, who is helping to organize the event. “We will clean the sidewalks, street gutters and tree pits,” he said, “and also polish the plaques on the tree guards.”

Rajan Nanda, Streets and Sidewalks Committee Chair, said its members are delighted to be working with the Business Association on the Fall Clean up. “The BHBA is such a key organization in our neighborhood and it is so gratifying that they are taking the lead on the clean up of Charles Street, one of gateways to our neighborhood,” he said. “We are looking forward to working with them.”

The Boston Watch

Beacon Hill’s streets of the 1820s and 1830s were poorly lighted by oil lamps set at greater intervals than our present gas lights. A carry over from the city’s earlier days, the Boston Watch provided protection from carousers and rare incidences of highway men on foot. The Watch patrolled in pairs and fours from 10 p.m. until early morning, depending on residents’ notification of criminal activity. Throughout the 1820s, the city’s population remained small enough that criminal elements were easily noticed. When the population substantially increased in the 30s and 40s, the activities of the Boston Police Department, founded in 1822, were expanded to encompass street patrolling and regular crime apprehension. (Beacon Hill Architectural Handbook)

Get involved

Our committees comprise volunteers working together from all over the neighborhood to assure that we all have a good quality of life here. We welcome you to jump aboard.

Upcoming BHCA meetings

Wednesday, October 12, 6 pm:  Fall Tree Committee Meeting, 74 Joy Street

Friday, October 14, 8 am:  Membership & Events Committee Meeting, 74 Joy Street

Monday, October 17, 5 pm: Architectural Committee Meeting, 74 Joy Street

Tuesday, October 18, 6 pm: Green Committee Meeting, 74 Joy Street

Save the date for BHCA events

Halloween on the Hill – Monday, October 31st

Forum on Homelessness – Thursday, November 10

Garlands & Green – Wednesday, November 16th

Holiday Decorating Days – Saturday & Sunday, December 3-4  ­

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