Saturday, November 9, 2013

A Glimpse Into History With Boston Freedom Trail Tours

By Katrina Wheeler


Boston Freedom trail tours are an interesting blend of history, culture and architecture. Sixteen different sites including churches, meeting houses, burial grounds and museums can be seen. The walking route consists of 2.5 miles marked with a red line as guidance. This is a great way to get a glimpse the events preceding the American Revolution and the early years of the United States.

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.

There are also various other of tour companies operating and over 80 000 visitors take this walk each year. There are some shorter length walks suited to children and others that a much longer for true enthusiasts who want to spend time at each site. Historical events are brought to life, landmarks are visited and one experiences so much more when on foot than on a bus or in a car.

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.

One of the official sites on the route is the Old South Meeting House. Many important meetings took place here, including the one in December 1773 when many citizens who had tired of paying taxes to the British crowded into the house for a heated discussion. It was that night that 343 crates of tea were thrown into the sea and this act of civil disobedience was a major catalyst for the American Revolution.

Another official site is the Boston Latin School. This school is the oldest in America and Benjamin Franklin is one of its well known dropouts. A statue of Benjamin Franklin stands in front of the school, marking the original location of the schoolhouse. Other signers of the Declaration of Independence like John Hancock and Samuel Adams also attended this school.

There are many daily tours that leaving from the Common and ending at Faneuil Hall. Others leave from Faneuil Hall and do the route in reverse. Some only cover the downtown area, while others cover the North End. There are evening walks too as well as those catering to varying interests. Customization is offered by some companies.

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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