Boston Freedom Trail Tours have been part of the tourist experience in Massachusetts since the 1950s, when the trail was first established. The pedestrianised route now stretches for around two and a half miles, and passes some 16 sites of historical interest, most of them related in some way to the tumultuous days of the American Revolution. This article will run down a few of the sites which visitors can see on 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.
While some visitors may then want to stop and see sites like the Granary Burying Ground or the Park Street Church, others will be more drawn to the Benjamin Franklin statue. Franklin was a polymathic intellectual, and one of the the most iconic figures of the nascent United States. Perhaps appropriately, his statue is also close to the site of America's first public school, the Boston Latin School.
The route also takes in the site of the so-called Boston Massacre, an event which helped to trigger the American Revolution. Although referred to as a 'massacre', only five people died, and contemporary evidence suggests that the British soldiers who perpetrated the killing were under intense pressure, and behaved very reasonably by the standards of the time. Nevertheless, the event played a significant role in propaganda at the time of the Revolution.
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.
These are just some of the sites which can be seen by visitors who enjoy Boston Freedom Trail tours. The walk is an illuminating journey through American history. Any visitor to this part of New England should make sure that they walk at least some of the route's length.
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.
While some visitors may then want to stop and see sites like the Granary Burying Ground or the Park Street Church, others will be more drawn to the Benjamin Franklin statue. Franklin was a polymathic intellectual, and one of the the most iconic figures of the nascent United States. Perhaps appropriately, his statue is also close to the site of America's first public school, the Boston Latin School.
The route also takes in the site of the so-called Boston Massacre, an event which helped to trigger the American Revolution. Although referred to as a 'massacre', only five people died, and contemporary evidence suggests that the British soldiers who perpetrated the killing were under intense pressure, and behaved very reasonably by the standards of the time. Nevertheless, the event played a significant role in propaganda at the time of the Revolution.
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.
These are just some of the sites which can be seen by visitors who enjoy Boston Freedom Trail tours. The walk is an illuminating journey through American history. Any visitor to this part of New England should make sure that they walk at least some of the route's length.
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