Who we Are

The Scoop on the Stoop

We focus being an informational site for our neighborhood and use our communication methods to be a guide to city services, local issues and keeping connected in our community.
We do not promote businesses as a rule. However, occasionally we hear about a promotion or news about a resident or nearby business that we think might be of interest to our community.
If you have something of interest to promote email us and if appropriate we'll highlight it here!

2026 SoWa Open Market Applications
live on February 3rd!

Calling all vendors! This year's Sunday Open Market season runs May 3rd - November 15th
11am-5pm. Accepting applications from:

Artists
Crafters and makers
Farmers (It is free of cost for produce farmers!)
Food and beverage producers
Food Trucks
Non-profit organizations

Seasonal (all dates) and rotational (select dates) options are available!
Sowa will be officially accepting applications for the 2026 Open Market season beginning February 3rd through February 27th, with final decisions announced on March 9th. To learn more click here.

18th annual Haley House Souper Bowl Tickets available now!
Learn more about the Souper Bowl here.

The Friends of Titus Sparrow Park Walking Group is a monthly, all-ages walking series designed to bring neighbors together, explore Boston, and stay active in a relaxed, welcoming way

Walks are hosted by FTSP Board Member Irwin Levy, who guides each route and shares insights along the way. Routes vary in distance and terrain, and participants are always welcome to join for the full walk or step off early. This group is about participation, not pace.

Learn more here.

Our neighbor, Laszlo Gardony
has been nominated in the Jazz Artist of the Year category for the Boston Music Awards!
Congratulations to Laszlo!
If you like his music (and we love it!), please take a minute to vote!
Here is the voting link: https://bostonmusicawards.com/vote/
And here's a link to his website to hear some of his music

The Isabella Stewart Museum is open late and offers free admission on the first Thursday evening of each month. Stop by and soak in the beauty of the Gardner in a different light, 3 pm through 9 pm.
Advance registration is encouraged for free timed-entry tickets to the Museum's general admission. Registration opens two weeks before the event for the general public and four weeks in advance for members.
Limited tickets will be available in-person at the Museum’s main entrance, starting at 3 pm, the day of the event. Please note that day-of tickets are not guaranteed.

Questions about accessibility? Please call the box office at 617 278 5156.

South End Library

Author Series - click here

We are a Volunteer Community Organization open to all residents

We are the Saint Botolph Neighborhood Association and we strive to:

Foster civic spirit, goodwill and friendship between and among all residents.
Promote the general welfare of the neighborhood and protect its residential and historical character, as one of nine local designated Historical Districts within Boston
Help ensure a clean, safe and well maintained neighborhood, and its continued improvement and beautification.
Identify and represent the best interests of the neighborhood while serving as a vital communication link with businesses, the City of Boston, and other government agencies on issues affecting the neighborhood and our residents.

Thankful for all our neighborhood helpers
“How can I help?” is a phrase we often hear and we at the SBNA appreciate all those who offer their help and their services to help us help the neighborhood. And then there are those who contribute and help their neighbors quietly and mostly under the radar. Not only do we recognize all our official helpers, but let’s give a hearty shout-out of thanks to people who regularly walk the St Botolph neighborhood to pick up trash. Know anyone who should get a shout out? Let us know!

Remembering Lorraine Steele

We’re all still a bit shocked, but we lost an amazing woman a few days after the fun of the BBQ. Lorraine Steele, an absolute fixture in our neighborhood, unofficially dubbed the “Mayor of Durham Street”, gardener extraordinaire and SW Corridor champion, vital board member of the SBNA including as social chair and then treasurer, dear friend to us all, and devoted partner to Lee…there are not enough words to describe how much she meant to us and how much we will miss her. Next time you are walking down Durham Street or the SW corridor gardens, enjoy the beauty and send a smile to her memory.
Click here for Lorraine's Obituary
Thank you, Lorraine, for all you did for us, for all you did with us - and for being our friend, our neighbor, and a joyful presence in our lives.

Remembering Joe Coppola

Joe Coppola, owner of Copley House and numerous other apartment buildings in the St Botolph neighborhood, passed away on February 16, 2025, at 90 years old.
The neighborhood has lost a dear friend and community champion. Joe was a generous and faithful supporter of the SBNA and always there to offer help and colorful stories from our neighborhood’s past. We will miss him. Take a minute to read about him and why he was a unique presence in our community. Obituary RIP, dear friend Joe.

Remembering Marty Samuels
We have lost a long-time neighbor, Dr. Marty Samuels of Durham Street on June 6, 2023. Accomplished doctor, wonderful person, and beloved neighbor. Maybe you knew him professionally, due to his groundbreaking work in neurology. Perhaps you knew him as the friendly, engaging neighbor, out walking his dogs, Sydney and Ralphie, with his beloved wife, Susan Pioli. Perhaps you knew him as the owner of the cute sportscar with the “Neuron” license plate. If you knew him even a little, you liked him. If you knew him well, you loved him. Please keep Marty’s wife Susan in your thoughts and for a reminder of what an extraordinary human being Marty was, here's a link to a thoughtful tribute in the Boston Globe.

Our friend and neighbor John Morse

John, a longtime resident and neighborhood friend, passed away on Monday, January 11th, 2021. John moved to Durham Street in the 1970s and was actively involved with the first neighborhood association (SBCC) and the SBNA. As an appointed member to the St. Botolph Architectural Conservation District Commission for many years, John was vigilant in providing guidance to neighbors and developers on the architectural requirements of our historic district. After John retired from Polaroid, he could always be seen chatting with neighbors on his walks or while on his way to volunteer somewhere. John’s friendly manner and big smile was a joy to everyone and he will be missed. John is survived by his lovely wife, Virginia.

Did you know?

The neighborhood was known for two crafts in particular - Binding of book by hand with fine leathers and the fashioning of Stained Glass .

Martin Luther King was a resident in the 50's and lived at 170 St. Botolph St.!

Edwin Arlington Robinson lived at 99 St Botolph St ( now the Inn at St. Botolph) and is credited with leading a revival of poetry early in the twentieth century together with Robert Frost. He was awarded three Pulitzer prizes in 1921, 1924, and 1927.

Here’s one: Judy Garland, Anthony Perkins and Liberace walk into a bar… the bar was Charlie Trafton's place at 124 Saint Botolph St click here for the details!

What is the Saint Botolph Architectural Conservation District

`The Saint Botolph Architectural Conservation District was designated in 1981, at the recommendation of the St. Botolph District Study Committee, after two years of analysis and meetings with residents and Boston Landmarks Commission staff. The Committee concluded “…..that the St. Botolph area is architecturally significant as a substantially intact area of late 19th century Victorian style buildings…….and as an extension and completion of the Back Bay, one of the nation’s most architecturally important neighborhood.” The purpose of creating such a District was to recognize and preserve the unique architectural, aesthetic and historic character of this remarkably cohesive District for the educational, cultural and economic welfare of the District’s residents and the greater Boston community.
For a fascinating and more in depth historical background on the St. Botolph District , please see St. Botolph Architectural Conservation District Study Report.

The Landmarks Commission is Boston's historic preservation agency and is part of the City’s Department of the Environment. The Saint Botolph Area Conservation District Commission (SBACDC, or the “Commission”), is a subset of the City’s overall Landmarks Commission and is responsible for preserving Saint Botolph's historic buildings and places, through protective designation and design reviews prior to construction.

The Role of the SBACDC
To ensure that exterior changes made to buildings will be in keeping with the historic character of the Neighborhood, the SBACDC must review and approve proposed visible exterior work before a City Building Permit is issued. The SBACDC meets on the third Wednesday of each month to review proposed exterior work. Nicholas A. Armata (a Senior Preservation Planner on Landmarks staff) is the Saint Botolph area’s designated Planner.

All proposed exterior work, including work at rooftops, that is, or will be, visible from any public way (including Southwest Corridor Park) is subject to the review of the SBACDC and must comply with the District’s Standards and Criteria . Proponents must submit a Design Approval Application to the Commission and it must be approved by the Commission before beginning any exterior work that is subject to Commission review.

Proponents should review all instructions and documentation requirements before submitting the application to ensure it is complete. Only complete applications will be added to a public hearing agenda.
As extra support to the Saint Botolph historical district, the Saint Botolph Neighborhood Association (SBNA) has an Architectural Review Committee to help residents early in the planning process to determine project compliance with the Standards and Criteria. Additionally, the SBNA’s Architectural Review Committee is often asked by the SBACDC to represent the “Neighborhood’s position” on major projects affecting more than just immediate abutters to a project.
If you are unsure of how to proceed or just need a friendly advice on the steps to take, contact our Architectural Review Committee .