We spent our third day in Boston on the Freedom Trail. The trail is a series of red bricks that expand across a 2.5 mile distance. On the trail tourists can see historically significant sites related to the beginnings of the American Revolution. Are you ready for a marathon of post?!
Across the street from Boston Common, sitting majestically, is the Massachusetts State House. Though locally referred to as "the new State House," the building dates back to 1798!
On the corner of Park and Tremont, sits the Park Street Church. Historically, this building has been a hotspot for the discussion of social issues. According to the Freedom Trail Organization, this is the place where prison reform began, women's suffrage was strongly supported, and heated protests against slavery were carried out.
A memorial to Paul Revere: "May the youth of today when they visit this old house be inspired with the patriotism of Paul Revere."
Paul Revere
John Hancock
Victims of the Boston Massacre
Samuel Adams
Down the road, on the corner, lies another church, King's Chapel. Founded in 1754, this was the first Anglican church in New England.
I found the pews to be the most interesting part of the church. Our audio guide informed us that these box pews were originally owned and rented individually by families. They would decorate the pews however they wished. The pews' height came from the need to keep warm within the pew in the cold New England winters.
On School Street lies the Old City Hall. This building was also home to the Boston Latin School for a time, and it was the first public school in Boston. Ben Franklin, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock all attended the school.
Outside the doors is a statue of Ben Franklin. The four bronze reliefs on the sides of the the statue depict Franklin as a printer, a scientist, at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and at the signing of the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolution.
The Old South Meeting House is the place that Samuel Adams uttered the following phrase, "Gentlemen, this meeting can do nothing more to save the country." It is believed that this phrase signaled to the Sons of Liberty that it was time to go out to the Boston Harbor. (And we all know what happened there .. the greatest tea party of all time.)
Many debates and discussions leading up to the Revolution were held here, in the Old State House. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read from the balcony to the people of Massachusetts. (If only we could read history-altering documents from balconies today. It'd definitely make me more interested in politics.)
The Site of the Boston Massacre
Located in the same square is Faneuil Hall, originally built as a marketplace. Here, Samuel Adams (pictured in the statute above) held funerals for those lost in The Boston Massacre. It is also the place that Americans protested the Sugar and Stamp Acts, arguing the famous line, "No taxation without representation." Does that give anyone else goosebumps? Okay, just me.
Quincy Market ... we loved this place! They had so many different vendors! We picked up fresh cherries in the farmers' market set up outside of the building.
Because we were in New England, I had to get some clam chowder. And my oh my was it heavenly.
This little street reminded me of those I saw in England (... sigh.)
Paul Revere's House. I love visiting historic homes. It's like stepping back in time. This house was already ninety years old when Revere bought it (built in 1680!) He left this house on April 18, 1775 to make his famous midnight ride.
I feel it important to note, as the locals did, that Revere did not, in fact, yell,"The British are coming!" as that would have done nothing useful considering he could have been heard by any number of the British loyalists. (Duh, Sarah.) He did warn the countryside of the British army's arrival by displaying lanterns in the steeple of the Old North Church. This told the people how the British would arrive, "One if by land, two if by sea."
Across the Charles River, we found the USS Constitution a.k.a. "Old Ironsides."
Bunker Hill Monument, actually located on Breed's Hill, is placed where most of the Battle of Bunker Hill happened. Though the British won this battle, they lost many of their troops here, proving that the colonists could put up a fight against the British army. (USA! USA! USA!)
We climbed the tightly wound 294 stairs to the top!
For dinner, we went over to Wagamama's, a place I've only been to in England! (... sigh. Again.) It was as good as I'd remembered it being, and just across the overpass in our hotel! For dessert, we tried out Pinkberry (finally) and loved it!
All in all, it was quite the day! And putting this post together has made me wish we could go back right now and stay awhile ... seriously, I love this city!
If you've made it this far I applaud you and thank you, kindly. You are the best. xo
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