Boston Freedom Trail Tours have been a feature of life in New England since the 1950s, when moves were made to link the city's various historical sites with a two and a half mile pedestrian trail. There are 16 sites in total along the route, almost all of them relating in some way to the American Revolution. This article will provide a quick run-down of some of the sites which visitors can see along the route.
The route begins at Boston Common, sometimes mistakenly referred to as 'Commons'. This park was established in the mid-17th century, in 1634, making it the oldest public park in the United States of America. Contained within the park is the Central Burying Ground, the home of graves of several prominent Americans, including poet Charles Sprague. Sprague's father, Samuel Sprague, participated in the American Revolution, and was at the Boston Tea Party.
After taking in the Common, the Massachusetts State House is the usual next port of call along the trail. This building is the main centre for state government in Massachusetts, and possesses a domed roof, which was fitted with copper by a company which was owned by the famous American Revolutionary, Paul Revere. Visitors can also see a statue of American Civil War General Joseph Hooker on his horse, outside the building.
The Granary Burying Ground and the Park Street Church are also located along the route, but perhaps of more interest to many people is the statue of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin is an American icon, an intellectual whose talents encompassed sicence and politics at the time of the birth of the nation. Close by his statue is the first public school in the United States, the Boston Latin School.
The trail also passes by the site of the Boston Massacre, an event in which only five people died, but which was used for propaganda purposes by the American Revolutionaries. The British soldiers who fired on the rioting crowd were, evidence suggests, under intense pressure. Contemporary evidence also suggests that, by the standards of the day, their conduct was nothing unusual, but the event became written into American history anyway.
Many visitors to the route are also drawn to Faneuil Hall, which has been a meeting place and market since the mid-18th century. Often referred to as the 'Cradle of Liberty', it was here that many American political figures, like Samuel Adams, for example, made speeches calling for an end to the link with Great Britain. It is now a site of historical curiosity, significant to the development of the USA as a nation.
Most visitors end their walk along the trail with a visit to the USS Constitution, a heavy frigate which dates back to the 1790s. She saw service against the British Royal Navy in the War of 1812, and is now the oldest naval vessel, which is still commissioned and afloat, in the whole world. Her crew conduct tours for visitors, providing insight into the history of the US Navy.
This is a very brief outline of just some of the sites which can be seen on Boston Freedom Trail Tours. All of the sites can provide great insights into American Revolutionary history. Whether it is the Franklin statue, or the USS Constitution, there is plenty to be learned.
The route begins at Boston Common, sometimes mistakenly referred to as 'Commons'. This park was established in the mid-17th century, in 1634, making it the oldest public park in the United States of America. Contained within the park is the Central Burying Ground, the home of graves of several prominent Americans, including poet Charles Sprague. Sprague's father, Samuel Sprague, participated in the American Revolution, and was at the Boston Tea Party.
After taking in the Common, the Massachusetts State House is the usual next port of call along the trail. This building is the main centre for state government in Massachusetts, and possesses a domed roof, which was fitted with copper by a company which was owned by the famous American Revolutionary, Paul Revere. Visitors can also see a statue of American Civil War General Joseph Hooker on his horse, outside the building.
The Granary Burying Ground and the Park Street Church are also located along the route, but perhaps of more interest to many people is the statue of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin is an American icon, an intellectual whose talents encompassed sicence and politics at the time of the birth of the nation. Close by his statue is the first public school in the United States, the Boston Latin School.
The trail also passes by the site of the Boston Massacre, an event in which only five people died, but which was used for propaganda purposes by the American Revolutionaries. The British soldiers who fired on the rioting crowd were, evidence suggests, under intense pressure. Contemporary evidence also suggests that, by the standards of the day, their conduct was nothing unusual, but the event became written into American history anyway.
Many visitors to the route are also drawn to Faneuil Hall, which has been a meeting place and market since the mid-18th century. Often referred to as the 'Cradle of Liberty', it was here that many American political figures, like Samuel Adams, for example, made speeches calling for an end to the link with Great Britain. It is now a site of historical curiosity, significant to the development of the USA as a nation.
Most visitors end their walk along the trail with a visit to the USS Constitution, a heavy frigate which dates back to the 1790s. She saw service against the British Royal Navy in the War of 1812, and is now the oldest naval vessel, which is still commissioned and afloat, in the whole world. Her crew conduct tours for visitors, providing insight into the history of the US Navy.
This is a very brief outline of just some of the sites which can be seen on Boston Freedom Trail Tours. All of the sites can provide great insights into American Revolutionary history. Whether it is the Franklin statue, or the USS Constitution, there is plenty to be learned.
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