On February 10, 1969 Boston’s new City Hall opened to much fanfare and controversy. A week-long program of ceremonies and events, which included performances by the Boston Pops—led by Arthur Fiedler—and the Boston Ballet, was capped by a champagne toast.

As a memento, a metal lapel pin was given to attendees to mark the occasion.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of Boston’s City Hall, a building which is now recognized as an iconic example of the Brutalist style, architect and designer Chris Grimley, a Founding Principal of OverUnder and Director of the firm’s pinkcomma gallery, has created an exclusive reproduction of the pin made from an original provided by Joyce Linehan, the Mayor’s Chief of Policy.

Cast in bronze and hand patina’d, the commemorative lapel pin is produced in a limited edition of fifty. Included with each pin is a unique numbered letterpress card that reproduces one of the original competition sketches for the building. Printed with gold ink, and signed in gold by Michael McKinnell, architect of the building, the set is a unique memento that celebrates Boston, City Hall and their concrete legacy.

A significant percentage of sales will be donated to support the work of docomomo US, which is dedicated to the preservation of modern architecture, landscape and design. Through advocacy, education and documentation, docomomo provides leadership and knowledge by demonstrating the importance of modern design principles including the social context, technical merits, aesthetics and settings of these important pieces of American history.