Journey to the Center of the Earth

(spoken in a very deep, resonating voice)

I think you all know I am using literary license here, as we would all sizzle up and fly away as ashes in a cloud of smoke if we really went to the center of the earth.   But  if you hie yourself over to the Christian Science Center the next time you are in Boston you can figuratively make that trip in their exquisite Mapparium.

The Christian Science Center is  like the Vatican for the Catholics as the world headquarters for the Church of Christ, Scientist.  The Center itself makes a nice visit.  The grounds include the beautiful Mother Church, adjoining the original church  (the first church was rather small and the burgeoning religion outgrew it within a dozen years), the general offices, the Christian Science Publishing Society headquarters where the Christian Science Monitor has its editorial offices, the Mary Baker Eddy Library, and other ancillary buildings.  The Christian Science Plaza is centered by a beautiful reflection pool that practically begs you to sit for a few moments to unwind and, well, reflect.

Behind the reflecting pool is the original church, and behind that the Mother Church.

Disclaimer:   I am not a Christian Scientist.  But I grew up amongst them, and find them to be kind, thoughtful, pleasant, happy, loving, caring and giving people in general.   This place mirrors these qualities.

I do understand that not everyone finds themselves to be atwitter at the prospect of entering into a giant globe.  A  three story globe.    If maps and globes don’t interest you, just skip to the end of the blog, where you will see my tremendous offer.  But if you’ve already walked the wonderful Freedom Trail, ridden the swan boats, prowled the waterfront, seen Old Ironsides and are looking for something different to see in Boston, this might be your piece of Boston Crème Pie.

The  Mapparium  is located in the Mary Baker Eddy Library.   Mrs. Eddy was the discoverer and founder of Christian Science and was a well known and honored woman in her time (the late 1800s.)   The library itself is almost more of a place to find and discover and share ideas, although there are certainly books and research tools here. The Hall of Ideas, for example, celebrates ideas throughout the years that have stimulated us and created change.  The neoclassical hall itself is a thing of beauty.   One of the few copies still existing of the 1611 King James Bible has been on display at the library  this year, and thought provoking and interesting exhibits rotate through.

One of the fascinating light fixtures within the library.

You enter the Mapparium on a bridge that runs through the middle, I could say from west to east,  as if you are standing on the equator.  The first thing you note is the vivid colors of this globe,  which opened in 1935.  The next thing are the numerous country names that you may remember but your children will not be familiar with.   This globe was created with the capability of being changed and updated, but after a few movements to do so over the years, it was decided in the 1960s to just keep it as a work of art, a snapshot of the world as it was nearly 80 years ago.  You might ponder how much more different it will seem after another 80 years!  Both recorded and live narratives are part of the program.  (We are not allowed to photograph the Mapparium so please do follow the above link!)

Besides the features of the globe, the acoustics are fun.  You can speak, and the shape and size of the sphere allow you to hear your voice just as it sounds to others.  It brings a new meaning to “talking to yourself!.”   And, someone on the other side of the world can whisper to you and it sounds like they are standing next to you. 

The Christian Science Center is in Back Bay, at 200 Massachusetts Avenue, close to Fenway Park, and steps from three convenient subway stops.    There is no admission fee for the libarary, but a small fee to enter the globe.   Worth it, in my opinion.   

Another view of the Mother Church, early 20th century, with the original late 19th century church on the right.

(Thank you to Lindsey Johnson for the loan of her camera after I left mine at the Minneapolis Airport!!!)


Time for the commercial!   I really just want to wish you all a happy rest-of-the-holiday season.  I am seeing some interesting and unusual offers for 2012, such as journeys tied to the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, and the first expedition to the South Pole.   Travel possibilities are becoming more and more fascinating as time goes on and infrastructure allows,  and as a Virtuoso member I am on the front porch with most of these travel companies allowing us to do these things.   If you have been visiting the same place for years and years and want to try something new and different, give me a call!    888-857-7379, general business hours, Pacific Coast time.