FREEDOM TRAIL

  

The Freedom Trail 

Begins at the Boston Common Information Kiosk
Tremont Street
www.nps.gov/bost

The Freedom Trail is a three-mile tour of the Boston National Historical Park (BNHP). The sites along the Trail are connected by history, and are preserved under the direction of the National Park Service (NPS). To begin, visit the Information Center on the Tremont St. side of Boston Common to pick up a Trail guide and map. Follow the brick line imbedded in the sidewalk through Beacon Hill, down around the financial district, over through the North End and across the bridge into Charlestown. The tour ends at the Bunker Hill Monument.

Many of us are familiar with the beginnings of the American Revolution and the role Boston played in those events. Although not all of the stops are directly connected to that struggle, they are relevant to the cultural and historical makings of this nation, and to freedom, not only from the British, but from slavery and censorship as well.

The State House on Beacon Hill is the first stop. Across the street is the Robert Gould Shaw and 54^th Regiment Memorial. Shaw commanded the black troops of the 54^th from Massachusetts that fought in the Civil War. Park Street Church saw William Lloyd Garrison give his first anti-slavery speech. The cemetery here is the final resting-place for a number of historical figures, including Ben Franklin’s family (Franklin himself is not here) and the victims of the Boston Massacre. Further on, at the King’s Chapel and Burying Ground, some early American notables lay.

The Old South Meeting House hosted the meeting that erupted into the Boston Tea Party on December 16, 1773. The Old State House marks the site of the Boston Massacre where on March 5, 1770, British soldiers opened fire on colonists. The BNHP Visitors Center is here at 15 State Street, and is staffed by Park Rangers.

Faneuil Hall, known as the "Cradle of Liberty" because of the rebellious oratory heard here, is next. Besides its place in history, the Hall houses a ground-floor marketplace just as it did when it was built in 1742. Walk through the stalls of Quincy Market before you head towards the North End.

The Paul Revere House is the original structure, purchased by the Reveres in 1770, and their home during the events of the American Revolution. The Old North Church only a few blocks away, was the site of the "two if by sea" signal that sent Revere on his famous ride. As you head towards the Charlestown Bridge, you’ll pass Copp’s Hill Burying Ground wherein lies the builder of the USS Constitution.

In Charlestown, leave plenty of time for the complexities of the Charlestown Navy Yard, and to wait on line to view the Constitution. The Trail ends up the hill at the Bunker Hill Monument – site of the first major battle of the American Revolution.

The NPS gives free guided tours of the Trail. Call 617-242-5642 for information. Some sites along the Trail are owned by private organizations that work in cooperation with the National Park Service. The churches all house active congregations who are generous with their buildings, but ask for respect at times of worship.

Hours:
Most sites are open daily 9:30 – 5
The churches hold services on Sunday.

Admission:
Varies according to site.
All NPS sites are free.
The churches may request voluntary donations.
Sites run by non-profit groups charging admission are:
Paul Revere House
Old State House
Old South Meeting House

Besides the Freedom Trail, Boston offers other visitors' paths that link important historical sites together.  The Black Heritage Trail celebrates the achievements of African Americans, while the Women's Heritage Trail celebrates over four centuries of accomplishments by women - it's the only one of it's kind.  Visit the sites where landmark achievements were made and the revolutionary war was won by taking a stroll on one of Boston's great visitors' trails.  Black Heritage Trail  Women's Heritage Trail