Mapparium Whispering Gallery - Boston, MA
Posted by: 
Metro2
N 42° 20.697 W 071° 05.181
19T E 328146 N 4690184
This Whispering Gallery is located inside the Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library at 200 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.
Waymark Code: WM957E
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 06/30/2010
Views: 17
In 1935, architect Chester Lindsay Churchill constructed a glass globe of the world large enough to have about a dozen people stand in at the same time. The globe is called the Mapparium and was intended to be an icon for the world conscious philosophy of Mary Baker Eddy. The Mapparium is inside her Library which was also the location of the publication of the Christian Science Monitor.
The tour costs $6...and takes only about 5 minutes. There is a pre-recorded program that explains the map. After the pre-recorded program, a guide also explains the whispering gallery effects and invites the tourists to try it out...either standing in the center of the globe---or by having 1 person at each end of the globe. Photographs are not permitted inside the Mapparium...but, photos without flash can be taken inside the lobby...and museum displays upstairs. A photo of a poster displaying the Mapparium has been uploaded with this waymark.
The Mapparium's website indicates the following about the whispering gallery: (
visit link)
"Another intriguing characteristic visitors noticed immediately was actually unintentional. Inside the Mapparium, you will notice a very strange sound quality. The spherical shape and glass construction create an odd acoustical property that allows you to hear your own voice as if you were speaking into your own ears! Also, if two people stand at each end of the 30-foot bridge, they can whisper to each other and be heard as if they were standing side by side."
The more general website about the Library can be seen at (
visit link)