Autumn in New England Day Two - The Freedom Trail Part Two

 Stop #9- Old State House Museum

"Built in 1713, the Old State House is Boston's oldest surviving public building. It was the center of political and commercial life, housing the merchant's exchange (a precursor to today's stock exchange) on the ground floor and the royally-appointed government offices and the freely elected members of the Assembly of the Massachusetts Bay Colony on the upper floors. The site played a central role in the story of rebellion, from James Otis' 1761 speech against the Writs of Assistance to the Boston Massacre in 1770 to the reading of the Declaration of Independence from the east balcony in July 1776." 

I love how Boston is a combination of the really old and really new.

Stop #10- Boston Massacre

"Adjacent to the Old State House, a ring of cobblestones commemorates the Boston Massacre. Five men were killed in this clash between Colonists and Redcoats. Amon the slain men was Crispus Attucks, the first African-American to die for the patriotic cause. Interestingly, John Adams and Josiah Quincy, loyal to justice as well as the patriotic cause, defended the British soldiers. All but two were acquitted. The guilty had their thumbs branded and were then set free." 

Stop #11- Faneuil Hall

"The building was a gift from wealthy merchant Peter Faneuil in 1742. Faneuil Hall served as a meeting place and on open-air market. It was here that Bostonians met to form their opposition to British authority. As a result of the impassioned speeches by such patriots as Samuel Adams and James Otis, the nickname Cradle of Liberty was earned, especially when citizens rallied against the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, the Townsend Acts, and the landing of British troops. 

Charles Bulfinch enlarged the building in 1806. After the Revolution, Bostonians continued to gather at Faneuil Hall for the anti-slavery speeches of William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips and Frederick Douglass. The women's rights movement, early temperance rallies and nearly every war since 1812 have been debated within these walls. 

Qunicy Market is part of Faneuil Hall Marketplace and is full of delicious food stalls...

Right nearby is a famous Irish pub and the ideal place to enjoy a frosty pint of Guinness.

We followed it up by waiting in line for two cannoli from Mike's. We were in such a hurry to get to the USS Constitution that we decided to wait and eat them later.

Stop #12- Paul Revere House

"Built around 1680, the Paul Revere House is the oldest remaining structure in downtown Boston. It was from here that its famous occupant set out for the midnight ride. Revere was no only a patriot, but also an expert silversmith, copper manufactuer, part-time dentist, engraver and the father of 16 children. As many as eight children lived here with him, along with his mother, first and (after 1773) his second wife." 

I loved that this one looked uniquely different than the others on the Freedom Trail.

We thought this was Old North Church but it turned out it was St. Stephen's Catholic Church, built in 1802. It was Rose Kennedy's church and where her funeral was held in 1995.

A famous statue of Paul Revere resides in Paul Revere Mall and Old North Church can be seen at the far end... 

But before we got around to the front of the church we stopped at a printer's office/gift store and watched a re-enactor make a print. He even autographed the copy we purchased after explaining how it was done.

Stop #13- Old North Church

"It was from the steeple that Sexton Robert Newman hung two lanterns on April 18, 1775, to signal the beginning of Paul Revere's momentous ride. The action is widely regarded as the spark that ignited the American Revolution. 

Old North is Boston's oldest church building. It offers a wealth of historic works, including the first bells brought to the Colonies, its original 18th-century brass chandeliers and clock, and the 17th-century carved angels that were captured by a Colonial privateer. More than 1000 individuals lay in rest in the underground crypt, including the Royal Governor's second-in-command at Lexington and Concord." 

Stop #14- Copp's Hill Burying Ground

"Copp's Hill was Boston's largest colonial burying ground, dating from 1659. Some notables buried here include the Mather family, a very prominent New England ministerial family; Edmund Hartt, builder of the USS Constitution; Robert Newman, who hung lanterns for Paul Revere's ride, and Prince Hall, anti-slavery activist, Revolutionary and founder of the African Grande Masonic Lodge. Copp's Hill is also the final resting place of countless free African-Americans.

Because of its height and prominent location overlooking Boston Harbor, the British used the burying ground to aim their cannons on Charlestown during the Battle of Bunker Hill. Target practice was also conducted here." 

 Then it was a bit of a walk across the Charles River to Charlestown and the rest of the stops...

Stop #15- USS Constitution - Old Ironsides

"Launched in Boston in 1797, the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. Her nickname was earned during the War of 1812 when British cannonballs appeared to bounce off her impenetrable hull and the seamen cried out, 'Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!' Today she is manned by an active duty US Navy crew and docked in Charlestown Navy Yard." 

It was fun to get to meet the crew and the new captain after going through the security check. While she is an active commissioned warship, she only goes out to see for about 4 hours when she sets sail on open water. 

So many nice neighborhoods on the way to Bunker Hill. The real gas streetlights were pretty cool!

Stop #16- Bunker Hill Monument

"The Battle of Bunker Hill was one of the bloodiest battles of the American Revolution. 'Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes!' became the legendary battle cry, according to lore, and immortalized the determination of the ill-equipped Colonists who stood facing the powerful British Army on June 17, 1775. Today the 221-foot granite obelisk commemorates the site of this first major battle." 

Then it was a mad dash back to the nearest Blue-line station to catch the subway back to the airport to pick up the rental car, get our luggage from the hotel and then drive to Kennebunkport, Maine. Amazingly, we made it just in time to grab a couple of lobster rolls for dinner.