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HISTORY AND TIMELINE

1998 The Boston History Center & Museum, Inc. was established by the Bostonian Society, the Freedom Trail Foundation, and the Boston History Collaborative.

1999 White Oak Associates and the American History Workshop hired to begin the work of museum planning. Cultural and civic leaders convene in a day-long session to begin brainstorming on museum program content.

2000 The museum responds to the Turnpike Authority's RFI for Parcel 12. Also explores siting the project on City Hall Plaza.

2001 Visitor research study completed. 1st planning campaign launched; $1.5 million is raised.

2002 The Boston Museum opens an office in Government Center, with space provided by Citizens Bank. The National Park Service completes a historic sites needs assessment study on behalf of the Boston Museum.

2003 Economic Impact Study completed.

2005 The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority designates the Boston Museum as the official developer of Parcel 12 on the new Rose Kennedy Greenway. Second planning campaign launched; $2.5 million is raised.

2006 Development staff and communications director hired.

2007 The Boston Museum expands its staff and board of directors, changes its name (dropping "Project,") launches a newsletter and new website, convenes local scholars to plan the first of five gallery concepts, convenes a teacher institute on the city's environmental and economic history, begins a partnership with Extended Learning Time teachers at the Mario Umana Middle School Academy in East Boston, and hosts a salon-style series of classes with the Boston Center for Adult Education.

2008 - 2009 The Board determines that Parcel 12 is not a feasible site for a building large enough to serve the Museum's needs. Cambridge Seven Associates hired to design a Museum for the adjacent Parcel 9.

2009 Proposal submitted for construction of the Boston Museum and Community Marketplace on Big Dig Parcel 9, and the Greenway Connector pedestrian bridge on Parcel 12.

2010 Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) appoints an advisory group to help it draft new use and design guidelines for Parcel 9.

2011 MassDOT issues second RFP for Parcel 9.

2012 Boston Museum submits revised proposal.