Attractions
IWalked Boston’s Common – Commodore John Barry Monument
This granite marker is one of four works by artist John Paramino located within the Boston Common. The marker honors one Commodore John Barry who is recognized as the “Father of the American Navy.” Barry was personally appointed by our first U.S. President, George Washington to both establish and command the first U.S. Navy in 1794.
This granite monument is actually a copy of the original bronze version which was stolen in 1977. Thankfully the original has since been recovered and now resides in the U.S.S. Constitution Museum in nearby Charlestown.
If you take the time to inspect the memorial you will see Mr. Barry in a traditional portrait pose. The one element I can’t escape upon inspection of this memorial, however, is the eyes. Is it just me or do the eyes look like someone just poked a hole with a pencil eraser?
Website: http://www.publicartboston.com/content/commodore-john-barry-memorial
Address: Boston Common, Boston, MA. Near the intersection of Tremont Street and Temple Place.
Cost: Free.
IWalked Audio Tours To See This Site: Boston’s Common and Public Gardens. (Purchase the MP3 tour here. iPhone application tour is available here. Please note, all Boston tours are now available as in-app purchases upon download of our FREE Boston Lite application, which includes a free 1 hour tour of a portion of Downtown.)