Thursday, November 7, 2013

Experience History With Boston Freedom Trail Tours

By Katrina Wheeler


Boston Freedom trail tours provide a fascinating glimpse into the history of the American Revolution and the early years of the United States. This 2.5 kilometer route was set up by concerned citizens who wanted to preserve this significant era in their history. There are sixteen historical sites and a painted or red brick line connects the sites and guides visitors along this route. They are exposed to history, landmarks and cultural attractions.

A coalition of public and private sector groups helped it to survive. Eventually an information center was opened and free maps distributed to visitors. Finally a foundation was set up to market the route and help with its preservation. Today over 80 000 people walk this route every year.

Today there are a number of tour companies taking guests on this 2.5 kilometer walk with its sixteen historical sites. Every step tells a story and tour content usually contains a mix of history, architecture and culture. This is a great way to become more familiar with the events surrounding the American Revolution and see the town on foot at the same time.

The guides often play characters who were regular citizens in that era and are costumed accordingly. They tell stories of the brave men and women who risked everything to create the new nation. They offer a variety of historic insights and perspectives that would not necessarily be found in history books. Visitors discover background, propaganda and stories that really happened before folklore took hold of them.

An interesting site along the route is the Old South Meeting House. This was the place where many meetings were held prior to the American Revolution. This included the one held the evening prior to the act of civil disobedience when tons of taxable tea were jettisoned from the holds of ships overboard into the harbor. The old wooden Paul Revere House is another official site and it is the oldest building found downtown. It is from this house that Paul Revere began his famous ride to Lexington.

Boston Latin School, the oldest public school in America, is another one of these official sites. Benjamin Franklin attended this school and is one of its most famous dropouts. His statue stands in front of the school. Other pupils of this school who were also involved in signing the Declaration of Independence were Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Robert Treat Paine.

Many a tour begins at Boston Common, the first public park in America and end at Faneuil Hall, covering only the sites located in the downtown area. Others begin at Faneuil Hall which housed many protests leading up to the Revolution and where market stalls on the first floor are still in use today. Another tour does only the North End. Some companies allow for a tour to be customized according to a particular interest.

One can check availability and book tickets for the Boston Freedom trail tours online. It was in this city where the American Revolution first began. Nothing tops this trail as an insight into the years leading up to the American Revolution and the early years of the United States.




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