Boston Common Cowbell

3D Model

Need more cowbell? This one was recovered from Boston Common in the 1980’s during an archaeological dig when the park’s lighting system was updated. Founded in 1634, the Common was first used as a grazing area for cattle and a public garden space for those living in Boston. By 1830, cows were officially banned as the Common transitioned from pasture to park. This bell is a reminder of the beginnings of the oldest continuous public space in the United States, and one of the few archaeological items that can invoke a sense of the sounds of daily life in early Boston!Scanned by Brian Schools.