James J. and Helen Storrow Memorial

The James J. and Helen Storrow Memorial is a bronze sculpture on a granite base at the Charles River Esplanade in Boston. It features an engraved map of the river area and marks the place where the Storrow family's vision became reality.

James Storrow spearheaded changes to the Charles River in the early 1900s, turning the tidal estuary into a controlled freshwater basin. His wife Helen later funded the full development of the Esplanade as a public recreational space for the city.

The memorial reflects the Storrow family's gift to Boston's public spaces for recreation and leisure. It shows how private generosity shaped the creation of places where residents could escape the busy city.

The memorial is located near the Hatch Shell and can be reached from several pathways along the riverfront. The area is flat and easy to walk around for visitors of all abilities.

Helen Storrow donated one million dollars after her husband's death, which inspired the city to add its own funding to the project. This generous gesture transformed a tidal swamp into one of Boston's most valued green spaces.

Location: Boston

GPS coordinates: 42.35292,-71.08597

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:25