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Besides the Freedom
Trail, Boston offers other visitors' paths that link
important historical sites together.
The Black Heritage Trail celebrates the
achievements of African Americans, while the Women's
Heritage Trail celebrates over four centuries of
accomplishments by women - it's the only one of it's
kind.
Visit the sites where landmark achievements were made and
the revolutionary war was won by taking a stroll on one of
Boston's great visitors' trails.
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The Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is a three-mile
tour of the Boston National Historical Park (BNHP). The sites
along the Trail are connected by history, and are preserved
under the direction of the National Park Service (NPS). To
begin, visit the Information Center on the Tremont St. side of
Boston Common to pick up a Trail guide and map. Follow the brick
line imbedded in the sidewalk through Beacon Hill, down around
the financial district, over through the North End and across
the bridge into Charlestown. The tour ends at the Bunker Hill
Monument.
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Many of us are familiar with the beginnings of the American Revolution and the role Boston played
in those events. Although not all of the stops are directly
connected to that struggle, they are relevant to the cultural
and historical makings of this nation, and to freedom, not only
from the British, but from slavery and censorship as well.
The State House
on Beacon Hill is
the first stop. Across the street is the Robert Gould Shaw and
54th Regiment Memorial. Shaw commanded the black
troops of the 54th from Massachusetts that fought in
the Civil War. Park Street Church saw William Lloyd Garrison
give his first anti-slavery speech. The cemetery here is the
final resting-place for a number of historical figures,
including Ben Franklin’s family (Franklin himself is not here)
and the victims of the Boston
Massacre. Further on, at the King’s
Chapel and Burying Ground, some early American notables lay.
The Old South Meeting House
hosted the meeting that erupted into the Boston Tea Party on
December 16, 1773. The Old State House marks the site of the Boston
Massacre where on March 5, 1770, British soldiers opened
fire on colonists. The BNHP Visitors Center is here at 15 State
Street, and is staffed by Park Rangers.
Faneuil
Hall, known as the
"Cradle of Liberty" because of the rebellious oratory
heard here, is next. Besides its place in history, the Hall
houses a ground-floor marketplace just as it did when it was
built in 1742. Walk through the stalls of Quincy Market before
you head towards the North End.
The Paul Revere House is the
original structure, purchased by the Reveres in 1770, and their
home during the events of the American Revolution. The Old North
Church only a few blocks away, was the site of the "two if
by sea" signal that sent Revere on his famous ride. As you
head towards the Charlestown Bridge, you’ll pass Copp’s Hill
Burying Ground wherein lies the builder of the USS
Constitution.
In Charlestown, leave plenty of
time for the complexities of the Charlestown Navy
Yard, and to
wait on line to view the Constitution. The Trail ends up
the hill at the Bunker Hill Monument – site of the first major
battle of the American Revolution.
The NPS gives free guided tours
of the Trail. Call 617-242-5642 for information. Some sites
along the Trail are owned by private organizations that work in
cooperation with the National Park Service. The churches all
house active congregations who are generous with their
buildings, but ask for respect at times of worship.
Hours:
Most sites are open daily 9:30
– 5
The churches hold services on
Sunday.
Admission:
Varies according to site.
All NPS sites are free.
The churches may request
voluntary donations.
Sites run by non-profit groups
charging admission are:
Paul Revere House
Old State House
Old South Meeting House
Click here to find
out more about
Boston's Freedom
Trail
