The Freedom Trail

Derrick's parents came to town in October and we had a blast catching some of the sights in and around Boston. One of Boston's main attractions, of course, is it's role in the Revolutionary War. In Downtown Boston there's a 'trail' of locations where the important movement began.

It begins in Boston Commons, the oldest park in the country, where the squirrels are incredibly tame. One actually ate a pumpkin seed out of my hand, fulfiling a childhood dream of mine!

The park is right next to the Massachusetts State House. It is considered "new" having been built as recently as 1798 and the dome is sheathed in 23 carat gold.

Down the street stands the Park Street Church, where "My Country 'Tis of Thee" was sung for the first time to the tune of "God Save the Queen" as a rebellious and patriotic gesture. Right next door we have the Granary Burying Ground, where the victims of the Boston Massacre, Paul Revere, John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Robert Treat Paine and Benjamin Franklin's parents are buried. Also James Otis, the famous orator who coined the phrase "Taxation without representation is tyranny" is buried in this cemetery. It is estimated that 5000 people are buried here although there are only 2300 headstones. There are about 20 people in each grave layered ontop of each other. Pleasant thought, isn't it?

Next stop is the Latin School, the first public school in America. The school is now co-ed, but Latin is still a required class! Among the school's famous former students are Ralph Waldo Emerson, Benjamin Franklin (his statue stands in the courtyard), John Hancock and Samuel Adams. Here is a nice picture of the school's plaque and my in-laws' feet.

The Old South Meeting House is well-known as the site where the Boston Tea Party began. In the winter of 1773, more than 5,000 colonists gathered at Old South in a meeting to protest the tax on tea. After many hours of debate, Samuel Adams announced, "This meeting can do nothing more to save the country!" Protestors stormed out of the Old South Meeting House to the waterfront where they dumped three shiploads of tea into Boston Harbor, thus changing American history forever. Included in the picture is our guide's hand, as he demonstrates the drama of that night.

Pictured below is the Old State House, where the Declaration of Independence was read from the top balcony to a crowd of people on July 18, 1776, making it the first public reading in Massachussetts. Queen Elizabeth the second also visited this sight some years ago and received a check from the mayor which covered the cost of the tea thrown into Boston Harbor in 1775. She received it in good humor, but never cashed it. Just in front of this building is the sight of the Boston Massacre, where British troops defended themselves from rioting Americans, pictured above. Faneuil Hall is pictured below. It is the location of several stirring and patriotic speeches delivered by Samuel Adams and others like him.

And finally: What is a trip to Downtown Boston without a romantic carriage ride? Later that night we ate at McCormick and Shmicks, which was voted as having the best clam chowder of any of the restaurants we ate at. A wonderful time was had by all. For more information on Boston's Freedom Trail go to www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/, but remember, they got most of their information from me. Thanks for joining us on the tour!

Thanks Mom and Dad for the great time! Boston came alive for us while you were here!