Historic Places: Boston

Trinity Church, Boston

I thought I would step away from the UK for a moment today and write about a historic place a little bit closer to home. Boston is one of the best places that I have visited to be surrounded by accessible history. During two trips to this city famously filled with hot-headed patriots, I have followed the wonderful Freedom Trail, which makes it easy for anyone to see all the best sights in Boston without dealing with city traffic or parking woes.

If one is staying in the city, it is easy to hop onto the Freedom Trail without the need for a car, making it far less stressful if you are anything like me and dislike driving in congested, unfamiliar places. The one warning this path requires is to be prepared to do a lot of walking. We logged about nine miles under the hot June sun.

The trail begins at Boston Commons, a public park that was established in 1634, long before the United States came to be. Instead of hangings and political debates, the Commons is now mostly host to joggers and families with small children. To follow the Freedom Trail, one must simply start here and follow the path marked out upon the sidewalks with colored bricks to the next destination.

Massachusetts State House

Directly across Beacon Street from Boston Commons is the first stop, the Massachusetts State House which is located on land once owned by the first governor of Massachusetts, John Hancock. (Yes, that John Hancock.) The dome of the State House is gilded in 23 karat gold, replacing the copper that was originally put in place by Paul Revere. (Um, yes, that one.) Completed in 1798, this is one of the oldest and grandest buildings in the US. The interior may also be toured for free. If one chooses to do so, you will see the government at work, displays of the rich history of the area, and even the famous wooden cod that was 'codnapped' in 1933 by Harvard students.

Carrying on from the State House, the Freedom Trail leads to a series of churches and burial grounds, each with its own historical significance. In the Granary Burying Ground, so called due to the grain storage building that formerly resided there, we found memorials to John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Benjamin Franklin's parents. Dedicated as a cemetery in 1660, it is estimated that over twice as many people have been laid to rest here than the markers indicate. Many are tilted and crumbling, creating a solemn atmosphere.

King's Chapel

King's Chapel and Burying Ground are the next locations along the trail. The Anglican Church was built in 1688 to promote worship in keeping with the King's wishes. Since marble is a resource not native to the US, wooden pillars were designed to give the appearance of grand marble pillars within and without the chapel. The ancient burying ground is the final resting place of several passengers of the Mayflower and the man who received far less credit for his midnight ride than his famous partner, William Dawes.

The Old Corner Book Store is the oldest commercial building in Boston. However, before one gets too excited about visiting it, I must temper that enthusiasm. While the exterior of the structure is intact with a lovely bookstore sign still affixed, the interior is the home of a Chipotle. I kid you not. This is history in the US. Ah well . . . .

Old South Meeting House

The next point of interest more than makes up for a fast-food restaurant in what should be a historic book store. When one walks through the Old South Meeting House, you can almost hear the voices raised in patriotic fervor still echoing through the air. It was here that men debated the next steps in making freedom a reality. It was here that the plot to dump 30 tons of tea into the bay was put into action. Here, among the plain white walls and wooden pews once designated for Puritan worship, men put the future, which we now enjoy, into motion.

The stops along the Freedom Trail are wonderful and historic information is presented at each one. Most buildings can be entered and explored for free or a nominal amount. I believe that I, with two of my teenagers in tow, spent less than $30 during our day. No less impressive than the designated stops are the views enjoyed while strolling through Boston.

The Old State House amid its modern surroundings

The whimsical blend of new and old is especially featured when one views the Old State House. Built to be the largest and most luxurious structure of its kind in the colonies in 1713, it is now dwarfed by the modern skyscrapers that surround it. Yet, it continues to rival those modern wonders with beautiful restoration work that enables visitors to see handmade floors and curved doors that were built to suit the unique round second floor landing. A small balcony off this second floor almost escapes notice, so unremarkable it is by modern standards. Yet it was here that the Declaration of Independence was read to an eager and anxious crowd on July 18, 1776.

That balcony overlooks the location of the Boston Massacre, which took place on March 5, 1770. In an attempt to clarify inaccurate history that is taught in schoolrooms across the nation, the Old State House has on display two paintings of the so-called massacre, demonstrating what really happened compared to the legend that Americans prefer. The fact that future president John Adams was the defense attorney for those British soldiers who were accused of murder attests to the unbalanced view that this event is remembered by.

Paul Revere House

A stroll through Faneuil Hall, where the weary tourist can buy snacks and souvenirs, brings us to the Paul Revere House. Built in 1680, this home was already almost a century old when the famous Bostonian purchased it. Though it was certainly impressive for its time, my teenagers were not impressed with the four rooms within which the Reveres had housed up to a dozen people at a time and been considered blessed to have so much space! Photos are not permitted within the home, but each room is restored to a different era of the structure's existence, giving visitors an idea of what it would have been like to live there. Some pieces are from the Reveres themselves.

Lanterns in the window of Old North Church

The cobblestone street that is scarcely wide enough for one modern vehicle carried us away from the quaint downtown area that was home to Paul Revere. Soon, we found ourselves at Old North Church, where two lanterns had testified to our midnight riders that the British were coming by sea (or rather river) and not by land. My one disappointment in visiting this wonderful old church was that we were not at that time able to climb the steps to the window where the lanterns had hung. On my previous visit, I had explored the old staircase leading to the bell tower where this small window looks out upon the city. At the top of that tower, I had seen the bells that Paul Revere had rung as a small boy.

Bunker Hill Monument

After a hot and weary day, we pressed on to the most distant points of interest along the Freedom Trail. We crossed the Charles River and were thankful for its breeze as we made our way to Bunker Hill. The monument and museum that mark the June 17, 1775 battle were visited by us 241 years, almost to the day after that historic event. No longer having enough energy to climb the steps to the top of the obelisk monument, we opted for a few moments - and ice cream - at the museum instead. In retrospect, I wish I had gained what must have been a wonderful view, but at that time my mind was upon the trek that was still required of us to make our way back to our downtown hotel.

USS Constitution ~ Old Ironsides

Before that, we had one more place to visit, and it was one that I remembered fondly from my previous visit. The USS Constitution, or as she is more often remembered Old Ironsides, currently resides at Boston's Charleston Navy Yard. Originally launched from Boston in 1797, the old warship has a comfortable home here after her battles and world travels. We traipsed onboard along with our fellow tourists and admired the craftsmanship of the oak ship even as we wondered at the idea of crossing the ocean in a ship that seems incredibly tiny by modern standards. The museum near the ship has wonderful displays and information about the history of the ship, war, and life at sea during the 19th century.

The end of the trail reached but our return voyage yet to make, my dear children and I set off. Throughout our walk, we had repeatedly seen people carrying little dessert boxes. Needing the motivation to carry on and reach our hotel, we determined that a stop at Mike's Pastry was in order. Those decadent treats and pizza were our reward when we finally crashed after our time on Boston's Freedom Trail.