New School Street location helps enable Freedom Trail Players® and staff to serve 4 million Freedom Trail visitors annually
Arrowstreet Inc., an architecture and design firm, announced today that they have provided interior and environmental design services to the Freedom Trail Foundation, which moved into a new 2,750 square foot-suite on the second floor of 44 School Street. Utilized for Foundation operations, the space includes staging for the Freedom Trail Players – 45 local historians and artists who portray 18th-century citizenry of Boston who lead visitors and residents on all Foundation-led Freedom Trail Walk Into History® tours, conduct in-school education programs statewide, and act as Freedom Trail and City of Boston ambassadors.
To convey a sense of America’s Revolutionary history, Arrowstreet outfitted the space using Patriotic colors and decorative elements including a historic graphic map of 19th Century Boston with an overlay of the iconic Freedom Trail and a graphic wall with famous quotes from Revolutionary-era figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Abigail Adams. The suite includes a welcoming entry, library, administrative area, ample space for the storage and maintenance of over 100 historically-accurate authentic costumes and accessories worn by the Freedom Trail Players, a kitchenette and break/training room, as well as dedicated areas for laundry, sewing and storage.
“We often have 20 Freedom Trail Players in the office at the same time preparing to interpret the Freedom Trail and its over 250 years of history to the public and private groups of all sizes,” said Suzanne Taylor, Freedom Trail Foundation’s Executive Director. “Arrowstreet helped us create a dynamic and flexible space that serves many functions for the staff and Players and is equally comfortable for both our employees and visitors.”
The Foundation was founded in 1964 and its former office was located at 99 Chauncy Street. After two years of searching for an office that was both big enough and centrally located along the Freedom Trail, the non-profit identified 44 School Street with the help of commercial real estate brokerage Cushman Wakefield. The office’s grand opening will be celebrated with a reception on September 26.
“Within their new office space, we wanted a space that fosters creative energy and encouraged workplace collaboration,” said Sallyann Thomas, Arrowstreet’s Director of Interior Design. “We’ve achieved a home for the Foundation that is functional and, at the same time, celebrates New England’s rich history that the organization brings to life every day.”
About Arrowstreet
Arrowstreet is an architecture, design and urban planning firm founded in 1961 and based in Boston’s Financial District. Eight principals collaborate with a talented team of 85 designers who see projects from diverse perspectives resulting in designs that have significant impact.
At the heart of Arrowstreet’s practice is an ability to take complex projects and distill them into dynamic design and development opportunities. The firm’s projects reflect developing social patterns, business trends and anticipated changes in the natural environment; designers consider building resiliency, rising sea levels and environmental sustainability. Arrowstreet approaches each commission as unique and develops thoughtful, forward-thinking design solutions that blend the authentic character of a community with progressive ideas and techniques.
About The Freedom Trail Foundation
Founded in 1964, The Freedom Trail® Foundation is the non-profit organization responsible for marketing, promoting, and helping to preserve the Freedom Trail through tourist services and activities, educational programs, and marketing and public relations efforts. Marked by a red line on city walkways, Boston’s iconic 2.5-mile Freedom Trail connects 16 of America’s most significant historical landmarks. The Foundation’s Preservation Fund helps support preservation, rehabilitation, and capital projects for Freedom Trail sites which help avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects of the elements and manmade wear and tear of Boston’s precious 17th, 18th, and 19th century sites.
