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.

The route was established by citizens who wanted to preserve their history and it survived through the years due to the input of various public and private sector groups. It was not long before it was attracting crowds of visitors. An information center was established, distributing free maps. Finally, a foundation was founded to preserve and market the route and today it presents various tours, lead by guides who play regular citizens from the 18th century and are dressed in historical wear.

There are several other companies offering tours too. They cater for different sizes of groups, from individuals to families and larger groups. Some offer shorter walks suitable for children and longer ones for enthusiasts who want to spend more time at each site. There are even some that are conducted in the evening.

The guides who lead these walks are usually very well informed, knowing facts that may not be found in most history books. They reveal insights, background facts and simply tell stories about the brave people who were involved in the creation of a nation. People who take a tour with a guide highly recommend it, saying that they learned so much more this way than if they had walked on their own.

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.

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.

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.

Most companies have online websites where one can check for availability, compare what is offered and book tickets. The Boston Freedom trail tours offer a unique opportunity to gain insight into a fascinating period or history. One can gain more insight into this period when people fought for civil liberty and see the town on foot at the same time.




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