Boston - Freedom Trail

Greg's travels this week took him back to Boston, which reminded me I wanted to share more from our trip there last month. 

While Greg was attending his conference. I set out to follow the Freedom Trail, a two and a half mile long trek which takes you by no less than 15 historically significant places, many having to do with the Revolution. As I like to read every last bit of interpretation and snap pics like it's going out of style, it took me two days to walk it and I didn't even make it to the last leg on the other side of the Charles River. But ah well. I don't know if my brain could have soaked up anymore Independence factoids anywho.

The trail starts off in Boston Common, overlooked by the Capitol Building.

Down the way a bit, next to the Park Street Church, is the first of three cemeteries on the trail. The Granary Burial Ground is the newest of the three and it holds a bunch of the important revolutionaries.

Old cemeteries. ♥ (Remember, I am an archaeologist. Not just a morbid weirdo, though perhaps a bit of that too.)

There's actually been quite a lot of effort put into the study of early American gravestones by historical archaeologists. You can learn a lot about a person from their tombstone, you know (besides what's written in the epitaph).

On to the King's Chapel, home of the Church of England in Boston to this day.

King's Chapel was actually built on top of half an already existing Puritan burying ground, the oldest one in the city. The Crown seized the land when no one would sell them a bit to put their own church on. (Well we know where all that bullying got them.) So though it's called King's Chapel Burying Ground now, it isn't really associated with the church at all, despite the fact it's right next door to it (and underneath it).  

Some later crypts are located underneath the street. Can't be very peaceful, I wouldn't think.

Next stop, marked by this great mosaic.

The Old South Meeting House. Sight of plotting and planning having to do with some old lot of tea.

Old State House. The Declaration of Independence was read to the people of Boston from this balcony a little after it was written in 1776.

This is what marks the Freedom Trail throughout the city (or a painted red stripe) so you can't get too lost wandering about. (Saves time squinting at maps and looking like a complete tourist too.)

Faneuil Hall, another meeting house with a market on the first floor that is closed for renovations presently. They've been doing a bit of digging in conjunction actually.

My kind of trash.

I had lunch here the second day of my trek. Vendor after vendor of any kind of food you could think of. Had to have a lobster roll.

On to the North End, Boston's Little Italy.

You can smell the garlic in the air, truly wonderful.

I thought this place looked so inviting. Our last night in town we came back to the North End for dinner, and stopped in here for a drink beforehand. We had to just wander around and refind it because of course I couldn't remember the name or the street, and I can't now either to tell you, but just look for gorgeous window boxes.

First stop along the trail in the North End, Paul Revere's humble abode.

No shortage of tulips in this neck of the wood either. (See here for more Boston tulips.)

And here's the man himself

beckoning one on to the Old North Church, forever linked to his patriotic deeds.

The last stop on the Freedom Trail for me was Copp's Hill Burying Ground, second oldest (to King's Chapel) cemetery in the city.

A virtuous Puritan name if ever there was one.

One of the interpretive plaques stated that when the British occupied this part of Boston, they used this fellow's stone for target practice in retaliation for his loyalties (or lack thereof) in life, thus the extra-hollow eye socket on the skull.

So, whew! There it is. If you're ever in Boston, take the hike. Even if you don't stop off at every site to read through every exhibit, it's really a great way to explore the city and get some exercise to boot.

♡,

Erin