Dave Thompsen Photography

Tag: Massachusetts

  • Minuteman Statue at North Bridge

    Minuteman Statue at North Bridge

    A photograph of the Minuteman Statue at North Bridge in Concord, Massachusetts.
    Minuteman Statue at North Bridge

    This iconic statue in Concord, Massachusetts was sculpted by Daniel Chester French in 1875. It commemorates the Minute Men, colonists who organized during the Revolutionary War to form trained militia groups in anticipation of battle against Great Britain. These men were often farmers as indicated by the plowshare in the statue. Typically deployed as sharpshooters and skirmishers, they prepared their equipment such that they could quickly be ready to fight, hence the term Minute Men.

    The statue is located next to North Bridge which spans the Concord River. Rebuilt several times, the current bridge replica was completed in 1956. This was the site of the first day of battle in the American War of Independence, where Americans fired upon the advancing British troops, killing three of them.

    At the North Bridge location in the summer, one often sees volunteers dressed in Colonial period attire, role-playing to educate visitors about life during that era. The National Park Service operates a visitor center a short walk up the hill from the bridge, and features a short video on the battle and exhibits that include “The Hancock”, a brass cannon that was smuggled out of Boston in 1775 and was subsequently confiscated by General Gage of the British Army.

    Part of my portfolio of photographs, this image uses an artistic software filter to impart a painterly appearance. Prints are available from my Pixels shop.

    The composition was inspired by The Minute Man stamp (Scott #619) issued in 1925 which depicts the statue as well as tablets inscribed with Ralph Waldo Emerson’s 1836 Concord Hymn poem.

    Signature Aviation requisitioned this image for their terminal lobby at Bedford L.G. Hanscom Field in Massachusetts.

  • Old Harbor Life-Saving Station

    Old Harbor Life-Saving Station

    A photograph of the old life-saving station and surrounding sand dunes at Race Point in Cape Cod.
    Old Harbor Life-Saving Station

    Surrounded by sand dunes and ocean, the Old Harbor Life-Saving Station Museum chronicles the history of the United States Lifesaving Service, a government agency chartered to patrol the coastline and save victims (and cargo!) of shipwrecks.

    Created in 1871, this agency utilized stations such as the one in the picture to base operations for these life-saving duties. This building was actually built in Chatham, Massachusetts in 1898, one of thirteen stations along Cape Cod’s ocean-side beaches. It was moved to this location on Race Point in 1977 and now serves as a museum. When in operation, crews kept watch for ships in distress, ready to use surfboats, breeches buoys, and other apparatus to save shipwrecked sailors and passengers.

    Part of my portfolio of photographs, this image uses an artistic software filter to impart a painterly appearance; prints are available from my Pixels shop.

  • Mayflower II

    Mayflower II

    A photograph of the Mayflower II replica tall ship berthed in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
    Mayflower II

    The Mayflower II is a full-scale reproduction of the ship that brought the Pilgrims to North America. Built in England in 1956 using traditional methods and tools, this ship is 106 ft long, 25 ft wide, and weighs 236 tons. It’s berthed on the waterfront of Plymouth, Massachusetts, not far from the landing site Plymouth Rock. The ship is a key attraction of Plimouth Plantation, a complex of museums that tell the story of  Plymouth colony and the native American culture of the area. The wharf leading to the ship includes informational displays that describe the ship and voyage it undertook in 1692 with 102 passengers and a crew of 30.

    I captured this photograph from Pilgrim Memorial State Park, a waterfront area that can be accessed from Water Street and includes walking paths, gardens, and scenic views of the harbor. I used an artistic filter to give the image a painterly feel. 

    The Landing of the Pilgrims USPS postage stamp

    This effort was inspired by the Landing of the Pilgrims postage stamp (Scott #1420) issued in 1970 to honor the 350th anniversary of that event.

    Part of my portfolio of photographs, this image uses an artistic software filter to impart a painterly appearance; prints are available from my Pixels shop.