We stayed in the Boston area two nights so we had a full day in Boston--not nearly long enough. On the bus while traveling we saw the Disney movie "Johny Tremain" which gave insight into the characters and places. We saw many famous buildings and sites but did not get to go inside of many of them. We were required by law to have a local guide with us during our tour of the Freedom Trail. We did a lot of walking but our bus driver would meet us from time to time to take us to another area. The streets were narrow and winding. Andy, our bus driver, kept of cooler of iced water bottles which we could buy for $1 which was a real service and price savings
We started the day at Quincy Market. The TV series "Cheers" featured this area.
The Freedom Trail was marked with a red brick path or red paint down the middle of the sidewalk. There were also a lot of cobble stone areas.
This is the site of the Old State House which was built in 1713 and the Boston Massacre of 1770.
This is the first meeting house in Boston built in 1732. I had no idea that Boston was nearly 400 years old.
Old seal of Boston
With our work in family history, it was meaningful to be at the burial place of many great patriots.
John Otis--one of the earliest patriots who inspired others with his oratory and writings and organized them.
Paul Revere's grave marker.
View of the cemetery. The large monument in the center is for the Franklin family. Benjamin was buried in Philadelphia.
Monument to Samuel Adams. John Adams, the US president is buried in another place.
This is a very large sloping park which makes it ideal for concerts, a market place, etc. In the early days much of the Boston area was marshy so much soil has been brought in to make it possible to build. People would bring what they had to sell into the city.
The Boston State House is directly across the street from Boston Commons.
This was a particularly moving frieze. It depicts a white leader on horse back leading the free white African-Americans from Massachusetts in the Civil War. This courageous regiment's story was told in the movie, "Glory."
The small two-story house is the Paul Revere house. Many famous people have apartments in Boston in restored/rennovated buildings.
This is the interior of the Old North Church where the lantern was hung "One if by land, two if by sea."
Old North Church exterior.
View of the USS Constitution and the Charles River. Boston was a major seaport for North America for centuries.
We returned to Quincy Market for lunch.
Richard, Karen, John and Kathryn spent some time in the Faneuil (pronounced Fannel) Hall with its famous grasshopper weather vane.
Built in 1742, this was the site of town meetings with Samuel Adams and others protesting British taxes. This building is still used for the same purpose including recent political debates and announcements. We toured the Military Armory and Museum on the 3rd and 4th floors as well.
Our next stop was Lexington where the British troops first encountered the Americans.
Shots were fired in this place but no one really knows who started it.
By the time the British troops reached Concord and crossed the bridge, there was a deliberate attack by the Americans and two British soldiers were killed. This was the "shot heard 'round the world."
We went to the Minute Man National Historical Park and enjoyed an excellent multi-media presentation at the visitor's center. Our bus took us the entire distance along the original route and we saw bullet holes from the battle. Many structures in the East have been preserved, restored, or renovated so they look much like they did at the time they were built.
A special highlight of the trip was attending a session at the Boston Temple. Except for the ordinance workers, everyone on the session were members of our tour group. We had all become good friends over the past week.
After much discussion with the neighbors and the city, the Boston Temple now has the Angel Moroni on top.
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