I am so exhausted after today! We walked the "Freedom Trail" in Boston with our friends Ro and Kyle. Starting at the Bostom Common (the first public park in the U.S.) and ending up at the Bunker Hill monument, the Freedom Trail meandered, twisted and turned for over two miles through over a dozen historical sites that captured the essence of the struggle for our Nation's Independence.
We started by driving to the mass transit station and jumping on the "T", the local train/subway station. We met Ro and Kyle at the Boston Commons around 11:30 am and set out on our journey.
As I stated, the trail began at the Boston Commons, where cattle used to graze until the early 1800's. Today, the 50-acre park is a great place to hang out, not just for locals and tourists, but I was surprised to see a good many homeless people in the area. Oh, there were also alot of squirrels. Kyle actually fed one an acorn.
Next was the Massachusett's State House, built on land originally owned by John Hancock (turns out he was a very wealthy man). Mary and I both observed how "cheap" the dome looked, as if it were covered in a gold-tinted aluminum foil. As it turns out, the dome is sheathed in copper and covered in 23 carat gold. Who knew?
Our first extended stop was at the Park Street Church and Granary Burying Ground. The church was built in the early 1800's on the site of the granary. It is known for being the place where William Garrison gave his first public anti-slavery speech. The graveyard was home to many famous bodies, including Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Mother Goose. At the local cemetaries, it is common to see headstones dating back to the revolutionary war with some having birthdates in the 1600's. The largest headstone was more like a monument, bearing the name Franklin. These were the parents of Ben Franklin, whose tomb we will be seeing in Philadelphia.
One of the more fascinating stops was the first Public School site, established by the puritans in 1635. The primary textbook for public schools in America for the first two centuries? The Bible, of course. Isn't it remarkable that we have strayed so far from our roots that the Supreme Court is now having to hear the case that will determine whether or not the Pledge of Allegiance is unconsitutional due to the phrase "under God" appearing within. Unfortunately, most public school children are taught revisionist history which completely leaves out the Christian beliefs of the early colonists and great many Founding Fathers.
At this same location was a statue of Ben Franklin and a donkey. We learned the origins of the donkey and elephant representing the two political parties. This is as close as you'll ever see me to the "jackass". While I disagree with a good many policies of the Republican party (thus, I can not call myself a good Republican), it is my belief that the Democrats are more dangerous to America and our freedom than most people suspect. Stepping off soapbox...
We stopped briefly at the Old Meeting House (the site where the Boston Tea Party began), the Old State House (where the Declaration of Independece was publicly read two weeks after it was signed), and the Boston Massacre site (where Samuel Adams had the martyrs he needed to gather support for a revolution).
Our longest stop was at Faneuil Hall, Boston's marketplace and meeting hall since 1742. We listened to a brief but informative presentation detailing the history of the hall where Samuel Adams and many other patriots would deliver inspiring speeches. The hall is still used for political purposes, with presidential candidates campaigning there from time to time.
After the presentation, we walked out of the hall to find dozens of people gathering around a street performer who was preparing to begin his act. His name was "Jim" and his act is called "The Jim Show". He is a juggler and a showman, stretching out his act with audience participation, witty quips and self-depricating humor. He manages to get quite a few gags in the at the audience's expense as well, but we are all along for the ride and it is ok. It was a very entertaining 30 minutes and I am certain Jim must have taken in at least $200 in tips, from the looks of all the people throwing money in his hat after the show. Jim, good work. Here is a link to Jim's site
A long walk found us at Paul Revere's house. Built in 1680, it is the oldest building in downtown Boston. Revere lived there for 30 years and it has been amazingly preserved. Just down the street is the Old North Church, the very place where Robert Newman signaled with lanterns the approach of the British regulars; "One if by land, and two, if by sea"
We were pretty darned tired by now, but we continued across the river and found the U.S.S. Constitution in the harbor. First launched in 1797, it is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world. We were too late to get a tour, but we did see the ship and managed to catch a brief interactive drama in the museum. "Old Ironsides" was given its name because cannon balls bounced right off its thick wooden hull.
Finally, the last stop was in sight! We walked uphill to the Bunker Hill monument, located at the site of the first major battle of the American Revolution.
After exploring the visitor center at the momument, we walked several blocks to the "T" station and bid Ro and Kyle adieu. It was back to the hotel for pizza delivery and blogging. And thus ends another educational and exhausting day. Tomorrow is our "down" day where we plan to take it easy. Let's see if we can pull it off.
It's Del.icio.us!
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