4. FREEDOM TRAIL

4.  FREEDOM TRAIL--This 2.5-mile, red-painted path connects 16 of Boston's most historic sights, from the Boston Common to the Bunker Hill Monument. 

The beginning of the Freedom Trail...

1.  Boston Common--50 acres set aside in 1634 as a military training ground and pastureland, the Common is the oldest public park in America.  The park served as quarters for British as well as Colonial troops, and later housed Civil War regiments!

2.  The State House--completed in 1798 features a 23-karat gold leaf dome, which had an underlayer of copper installed by Paul Revere. 

Across the street from the Statehouse is The Robert Gould Shaw Memorial--the colonel in command of the all-black 54th Regiment in the Civil War.  He was also the principal subject of the 1989 film Glory, portrayed by Matthew Broderick.

3.  Park Street Church--Where William Lloyd Garrison gave his first antislavery address in 1829 (in the film Amazing Grace), and the hymn "America" was sung publicly for the first time. 

4.  Old Granary Burying Ground--This historic cemetery, established in 1660, formerly the town granary, is the final resting place of Paul Revere; John Hancock, Robert Treat Paine, Samuel Adams (all three signed the Declaration of Independence); Peter Faneuil; and the victims of the Boston Massacre and Revolutionary War.

When we saw this large marble obelisk with the Franklin name on it, we thought that Ben was buried here, but this is a marker in memorial to his parents who are buried here!

Paul Revere's memorial

Garner kneeling down by his small tomb!

John Hancock's final resting place and memorial!

Victims of Boston Massacre--there were only five!

Samuel Adam's grave marker--leader of Revolution movement, founding father and signer of the Constitution!

5.  King's Chapel and Burying Ground--King's Chapel, a granite building completed in 1754.  It replaced an original wooden chapel, dating back to 1688. 

The Burying Ground next to the chapel is Boston's oldest cemetery.

Winthrop Family Tomb

John Winthrop (1588-1649) was the first governor of Massachusetts

6.  Site of the First Public School--a mosaic on the sidewalk commemorates the site of the country's first public school, established in 1635.  Benjamin Franklin attended classes in this school before he dropped out.

The Old City Hall...

...contains a statue of Benjamin Franklin!

Jaden on a small bronze statue of a donkey representing the Democratic Party, which is found near Franklin's statue!

7.  Old Corner Bookstore Building--One of Boston's oldest surviving buildings, this structure was built in 1712 and was at one time owned by religious activist Anne Hutchinson.  In the mid-18th century, it was a bustling literary center that published the works of Longellow, Emerson, Hawthorne, Holmes, Stowe and Dickens.

8.  Old South Meeting House--Built in 1729, the building had the largest capacity for town meetings in colonial Boston, often used by patriots who encouraged crowds to revolt against British taxation.  One of these meetings, on December 16, 1773, led to the Boston Tea Party, which sparked the Revolutionary War.

9.  Old State House--Built in 1713, the building was used as the seat of Colonial government,...

...the first state house of Massachusetts and the Hub's first reading of the Declaration of Independence.

10.  Boston Massacre Site--Below the Old State House a ring of cobblestones marks the site of the skirmish between Colonists and British troops that led to the slayings of five people.  (I didn't get a picture of the cobblestones.)

11.  Faneuil Hall--Built and given to Boston in 1742 by local merchant Peter Faneuil, and named "The Cradle of Liberty," Faneuil Hall was the meeting place of the Sons of LIberty.

While Faneuil Hall's first floor was Boston's main market place, the second floor served as a meeting place.  Samuel Adams was one of the patriots who gathered here, tryng to convince fellow colonists to unite and fight against British oppression. 

A statue of Samuel Adams stands in front of Faneuil Hall.

Quincy Market (1824) was built as an addition to Faneuil Hall (1742) providing more space for the growing city to shop.  This was a great place to get really good fast food. 

Quincy Market is one of Boston's most visited tourist attractions.  There's a long hallway down the center of the rectangular building...

with a large copper-covered dome in the center of the roof...

...covering an open seating area.

Garner enjoyed his fruit first...

...and then he (along with Isabella and Holland)...

...found some great treats!!!

The outside of Quincy Market with all of the kiosks and people!  The dome part is on the left.

Old buildings mixed with the new in beautiful Boston!!

The kids watching a rapper in front of Faneuil Hall.

Isabella and Olivia--sisters!

Old street/old buildings in Boston!

The girls with a British Red Coat soldier!

Built in 1767 and owned by John Hancock...

...but lived in by John's brother!

12.  Paul Revere House--The oldest home in Boston (built c. 1680), occupied by silversmith and patriot Paul Revere from 1770 to 1800. 

Jaxon by Paul Revere's front door.

Unique architecture in North Square, which is renowned as Boston's "Little Italy" in Boston's oldest neighborhood.

Boston's skyline as we walk back from Paul Revere's House.  There were four other sites (Old North Church, Bunker Hill Monument and USS Constitution), but little (and big) feet gave out.  This means we will have to return to Boston again.  We would love it!!!