Freedom Trail

It was an absolutely beautiful day in Boston yesterday. The weather has been pretty bad for the past several weeks, so we took advantage of the great day. Jeremy had suggested earlier in the week that we walk the Freedom Trail, Boston's historical walk through significant sites related to events of the Revolutionary era. The route starts in Boston Common which is by the Public Gardens, where we had our wedding photos taken, so we stopped there to see some of the beautiful flowers first. The trail itself is 3 miles long and takes you through Boston Common to the Massachusetts State House.
Just down the road is the Park Street Church which was built in 1809. Just behind the church is the Granary Burying Ground, established in 1660. Some famous people are buried here are John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin's parents, John Adams, and Samuel Adams. Around the corner from the burying ground is King's Chapel and Burying Ground. This site was originally a tiny church used by the King's men who occupied Boston to enforce British law. After the congregation outgrew the church, a new church was built around the original wood structure, which was then taken apart and the scraps were thrown out the window of the new church. Outside in the burying ground is the town of Mary Chilton, the first woman to step off the Mayflower.

Behind the church is the original site for the Boston Latin School, America's oldest public school. Boston Latin is now located behind Fenway Park. Some famous people who attended the original school include Benjamin Franklin, who was actually a high school dropout!

Further down the road, we visited the Old South Meeting House which was the site for many events leading up to the American Revolution.

Down the street from the meeting house is the Old State House. This is where Massachusetts' first Governor, John Hancock's office was located. The Declaration of Independence was also read from the balcony of the building in 1776. Just outside the building is where the Boston Massacre occurred, resulting in the death of 5 men. The next stop on the tour was Faneuil Hall. It was here that Americans first protested the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act. It was also here that my brother Jake, was officially sworn in as a lawyer in Massachusetts.
After a short walk through Boston's North End, we arrived at Paul Revere's house. Paul lived here with his 16 children after he purchased the house for 53 pounds, 6 shillings, and 8 pence in 1770. It was also from here that he departed on his momentous ride to Lexington.

Also in the North End is Old North Church, Boston's oldest standing church which opened its doors on December 29, 1723. It is still and active Episcopal Church. It was here that two lanterns were hung to warn patriots that the British were coming across the Charles River. (One of by land, two if by sea.)
We stopped for lunch in Charlestown to rejuvenate ourselves for the last few stops on the tour.
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides for her strength during the War of 1812. She is berthed in the Charlestown Navy Yard and makes a few trips out to Boston Harbor during the year. The final stop on the trail is the Bunker Hill Monument. The Battle of Bunker Hill is known as the first major battle of the Revolutionary War. We climbed the 294 steps to the top of the tower, which was built in 1842.
We really enjoyed our tour of historical Boston. There were so many sites that we see every day, but never appreciated for the history they held.