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Friday afternoon, September 21, Barb & Jean flew into Boston. The view out the plane window was beautiful of the city, Boston Harbor and many islands. We even saw Fenway Park, but the Redsox weren't playing.
We flew over Castle Island and pentagon-shaped Fort Independence. The first fortification on Castle Island was in 1634 by British Governor Dudley of Massachusetts Bay Colony. Under the command of Lt. Paul Revere the fort was repaired in 1776 after the British evacuated Boston. The fort was decommissioned after WWII. After it was no longer needed for coastal defense, Castle Island was purchased from the federal government in 1962 and is now a historical site.
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Eager to see Boston, we headed out as
soon as we checked into the Hilton
Financial District (downtown).
A friend told us to be sure to visit
Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market. We did!
(Pronounced "Fanyel" - like Daniel)
This town meeting hall has been Boston's
political focal point for over 2 1/2
centuries.
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Our friend also told us to eat at Durgin Park - one of America's oldest restaurants (over 130 years old).
It was delicious. Barb had clam chowder and crab cakes!
(Thanks for the referral, Ricia!)
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Saturday we had the day to ourselves before meeting our tour group that night at 7:00 pm.
We wanted to walk the Freedom Trail!
The Freedom Trail is a 3-mile red line that winds through Boston to 16 historical sites. The red line is usually red bricks set right into the sidewalks, other places it is painted.
Guided tours are available by costumed 18th century guides, but we decided to buy a book and do a self-guided tour to allow time to see the 3 museums along the trail.
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If you're a history buff, this is a definite must-see! Click the grapic below of the Freedom Trail to learn more about it.
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Another way to see Boston
is on a Duck Tour, but we
chose by foot.
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We started at the south end Visitor's
Information Center in Boston Commons
(the oldest public park in America).
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The "new" Massachusetts State House, built in 1795.
The original wooden dome was later clad in copper
by Paul Revere's firm in 1802, then gilden in
gold after the Civil War.
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Next to the Park Street Church
(under renovation) is the Granary
Burial Ground. This 2-acre plot
holds the remains of more famous
people than any other small
graveyard in America: 3 signers
of the Declaration of Independence,
Paul Revere, Boston Massacre victims,
and Ben Franklin's parents.
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This guide stands by the
marker for Samuel Adams'
grave: 1722 to 1803.
It is said that it was
John Hancock's money &
Sam Adams' brains that
fueled the revolution.
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Inside King's Chapel & the Old South Meeting House
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Old Corner Book Store -
one of Boston's oldest surviving
structures, built 1712 as apothecary.
Most famous as book publisher in
mid-1800s, publishing works such as
Walden, Scarlet Letter, & Hiawatha.
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Old State House, built in 1713.
Oldest public building still
standing in eastern United States.
Originally, the center of
British authority, Old State House
became famous as a meeting place to
discuss independence and was the
scene of the Boston Massacre.
It was from this balcony in July 18,
1776 that the Declaration of
Independence was read after being
signed in Philadelphia.
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The Boston Tea Party Ship and Museum were closed for repair after a fire,
but we walked down to see the harbor.
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A relic of the medieval Boston of the 1600s,
Paul Revere's House is now a museum in North Square and is Boston's oldest building.
"Rachel Revere", Paul's 2nd wife, spoke to us in the courtyard and shared what it was like being married to one of the "Sons of Liberty".
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"One, if by land, and two, if by sea..."
We ended our Freedom Trail walk today at the Old North Church, saving Charlestown across the bridge for another day.
Having walked from 9:30 am until 5:30 pm, we were ready to sit and enjoy another Boston dinner in the irish pub, Black Rose.
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Then we hurried back to our Hotel for 7:00 meeting & meet the rest of our quilt tour! Tomorrow we're off!
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Click the links below to see the days of our trip.
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